Geochemical criteria for identifying diamond-bearing areas
At a Glance
Section titled âAt a Glanceâ| Metadata | Details |
|---|---|
| Publication Date | 2025-01-01 |
| Journal | E3S Web of Conferences |
| Authors | Lev Krinochkin, V.A. Kilipko, A. G. Trofimov, Olga Krinochkina, Dinya Mamina |
| Analysis | Full AI Review Included |
Geochemical Criteria for Diamond Prospecting: Advanced Material Requirements
Section titled âGeochemical Criteria for Diamond Prospecting: Advanced Material RequirementsâThis technical documentation analyzes the findings of the research paper âGeochemical criteria for identifying diamond-bearing areasâ and translates the material requirements and technological implications into actionable solutions offered by 6CCVD, an expert provider of MPCVD diamond materials.
Executive Summary
Section titled âExecutive SummaryâThis research establishes robust geochemical criteria for identifying and grading potentially diamondiferous areas, a process that relies heavily on high-precision analytical instrumentationâa key application area for 6CCVDâs advanced diamond materials.
- Core Achievement: Development of two multiplicative indices, $K_{kim}$ (Kimberlite Potential) and $K_{alm}$ (Diamond Prospectivity), based on clarke-normalized concentrations of indicator elements (Cr, Ni, Co).
- Methodology: Medium-scale lithochemical sampling (1:200,000 scale) of stream sediments and soils, analyzed by high-sensitivity ICP-MS for 60 chemical elements.
- Key Indicators: Diamondiferous kimberlites are characterized by high concentrations of Cr, Ni, Mg, and Co, differentiating them from barren alpicrites (which accumulate V, Cs, Rb).
- Prospecting Success: The criteria successfully pinpointed 51 anomalous geochemical fields, identifying 11 areas of high prospectivity in the Myunyusyakhsk region, including one estimated to have the highest potential (Anomaly No. 7).
- Material Implication: The future success of diamond exploration, sorting, and quality control (QC) relies on advanced sensing and high-power optical systems, requiring customized Single Crystal Diamond (SCD) and Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD) components.
- 6CCVD Value Proposition: We supply the SCD and BDD materials necessary for building the next generation of high-performance detectors, optical windows, and electrochemical sensors used in geological analysis and industrial diamond processing.
Technical Specifications
Section titled âTechnical SpecificationsâThe following hard data points were extracted from the research, detailing the scale and parameters of the geological investigation and the physical characteristics of the targets.
| Parameter | Value | Unit | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geochemical Survey Scale | 1:200,000 | Ratio | Sampling interval 1 to 1.5 km. |
| Elements Analyzed | 60 | Elements | Analyzed by ICP-MS. |
| Typical Kimberlite Pipe Dimensions | 10x14 to 100x170 | m | Anabar province bedrock sources. |
| Malokuonamsk Pipe Dimensions | 255 by 320 | m | Reference object (Pipe 5). |
| Malokuonamsk Diamond Quality | Up to 20 | % | Content of jewelry diamonds. |
| Kimberlite Potential Index ($K_{kim}$) | $K_{cCr} \times K_{cNi} \times K_{cCo}$ | N/A | Multiplicative indicator for kimberlite occurrence. |
| Diamond Prospectivity Index ($K_{alm}$) | $(K_{cCr} \times K_{cNi} \times K_{cCo}) / (K_{cV} \times K_{cCs} \times K_{cRb})$ | N/A | Coefficient for grading potential diamond content. |
| High Prospectivity Threshold ($K_{kim}$) | â„ 8.0 | N/A | Used to identify the most promising anomalous fields. |
| Cr-Ni Correlation Coefficient | +0.78 | N/A | Stable positive correlation in kimberlite samples. |
| Cr-Co Correlation Coefficient | +0.6 | N/A | Stable positive correlation in kimberlite samples. |
Key Methodologies
Section titled âKey MethodologiesâThe research employed a rigorous geochemical approach to identify diamondiferous targets by analyzing secondary dispersion halos of indicator elements.
- Sampling Strategy: Lithochemical sampling of stream sediments and soils was conducted on a medium scale (1:200,000) across the Myunyusyakhsk area.
- Elemental Analysis: Samples were analyzed for 60 chemical elements using high-sensitivity Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS).
- Normalization: Element concentrations were normalized against clarke (crustal abundance) values to establish baseline trends.
- Indicator Identification: Analysis confirmed that diamondiferous kimberlites (Type 1) exhibit the highest clarke-normalized values of Cr, Ni, Mg, and Co, while barren alpicrites accumulate V, Cs, and Rb.
- Kimberlite Localization ($K_{kim}$): The multiplicative indicator $K_{kim} = K_{cCr} \times K_{cNi} \times K_{cCo}$ was used to pinpoint local anomalies of the pipe type, successfully identifying 51 anomalous geochemical fields.
- Prospectivity Grading ($K_{alm}$): The diamond prospectivity coefficient $K_{alm} = (K_{cCr} \times K_{cNi} \times K_{cCo}) / (K_{cV} \times K_{cCs} \times K_{cRb})$ was introduced to grade the potential diamond content of the identified anomalies.
- Target Differentiation: Anomalous fields were differentiated using a $K_{kim}$ vs. $K_{diam}$ scatter diagram, allowing for the classification of targets into high, moderate, unclear, and low prospectivity grades.
6CCVD Solutions & Capabilities
Section titled â6CCVD Solutions & CapabilitiesâThe high-precision analytical methods (ICP-MS) and the subsequent need for efficient, high-throughput diamond sorting and quality control (QC) systems in the mining sector create a direct demand for advanced MPCVD diamond materials. 6CCVD is uniquely positioned to supply the customized diamond components required for these applications.
Applicable Materials for Geoscience and Mining Technology
Section titled âApplicable Materials for Geoscience and Mining Technologyâ| Application Area | Material Requirement | 6CCVD Solution | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radiation Detection/Sorting | High-purity, low-defect material for UV/X-ray detectors and high-power optics. | Optical Grade SCD | Extreme transparency, high thermal conductivity, and radiation hardness for high-speed sorting equipment. |
| Electrochemical Sensing | Robust, conductive electrodes for field analysis of indicator elements (e.g., Ni, Co) in water/soil. | Heavy Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD) | Wide potential window, chemical inertness, and stability in harsh geological environments. |
| High-Power Lasers/Optics | Large area, high thermal stability windows for laser cutting or high-power sorting systems. | Optical Grade PCD | Plates/wafers up to 125mm, excellent thermal management (up to 2000 W/mK). |
Customization Potential for Research Replication and Industrial Scale-Up
Section titled âCustomization Potential for Research Replication and Industrial Scale-UpâTo transition from geochemical analysis to industrial diamond recovery and QC, specialized diamond components are essential. 6CCVD offers full customization capabilities:
- Custom Dimensions: We provide SCD and PCD plates/wafers in custom shapes and sizes, including inch-size PCD wafers up to 125mm, suitable for large-area sensor arrays or optical windows.
- Thickness Control: SCD and PCD layers can be grown from ultra-thin films (0.1”m) for sensor applications up to thick substrates (500”m SCD/PCD, 10mm substrates) for high-power thermal management.
- Precision Polishing: For optical and detector applications, we guarantee ultra-low surface roughness:
- SCD: Ra < 1nm
- PCD (Inch-size): Ra < 5nm
- Integrated Metalization: For creating robust electrical contacts or heat sinks on BDD electrodes or SCD detectors, 6CCVD offers in-house metalization services, including Au, Pt, Pd, Ti, W, and Cu layers. This is critical for integrating diamond components into complex analytical instruments.
Engineering Support
Section titled âEngineering Supportâ6CCVDâs in-house team of PhD material scientists specializes in optimizing diamond properties for extreme applications. We offer consultation services to assist researchers and engineers in selecting the optimal SCD or BDD grade, doping level, and surface finish required for developing next-generation analytical tools, high-power optics, or advanced sensors for similar geochemical prospecting and diamond processing projects.
For custom specifications or material consultation, visit 6ccvd.com or contact our engineering team directly.
View Original Abstract
The paper demonstrates that diamondiferous objects may be pinpointed even by the middle-scale geochemical surveys. Relevant criteria were developed to identify and classify such objects by their prospectivity. The study materials are the results of geochemical surveys carried out in the Myunusyak area, Sakha-Yakutia, RF, in 2020-2022. The geochemical study was carried out by lithochemical sampling. Sampling was carried out on a scale of 1:200,000, i.e., the sampling interval varied between 1 and 1.5 km. The samples were analyzed by ICP-MS. The results of the study show the possibility of identifying potentially diamondiferous areas by geochemical methods identifying geochemical halos of kimberlite fields. The prerequisite for this was the idea of diamondiferous objects as areas of spatially close kimberlite bodies and associated host rock alterations. The products of their destruction form secondary halos and trains of indicator elements of kimberlite magmatism, which dimensions can significantly exceed the those of the pipes and are detectable by the medium-scale geochemical surveys. Using the criteria developed, produced an assessment of the diamond potential of the Myunyusyak area, Anabar Craton. A number of promising areas were identified by the authors, including one of especially high prospectivity.