India Moves Ahead with Diamond Production

According to the Chief Minister of India's Chhatisgarh state, the country is set to become one of the biggest centers for diamond production. The country’s Chhattisgarh state is rich in minerals and is expected to begin diamond production in 2010.

“At least half a dozen companies are presently involved in an advanced stage of diamond prospecting in seven of the state's 16 districts and it will take another four years to begin commercial production,” Raman Singh said.

Indian officials said that several diamond companies are already involved in exploration including De Beers, Jindal Steel and Power, Admas Prospecting, Geo Mysore Services India, and ACC Rio Tinto Exploration. De Beers has been prospecting in Raipur, Mahasamund, Durg, Dhamtari, Kanker, Jashipur and Rajnandgaon districts.

“The companies are closing in on areas that have kimberlite rocks and pipes that contain raw diamond particles,” Singh said. He also stated that once diamonds are discovered in India, the price of diamonds will fall globally. “Once the production will begin,” Singh said, “Chhattisgarh will decide the diamond price in world market.”