The Argyle diamond discovery, Kimberley region, Australia

A. J A Janse

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The Argyle diamond mine is located in the Kimberley region in the northern part of Western Australia. The 46 ha pipe is situated in the Halls Creek mobile zone, which was cratonized about 1800 Ma ago and adjoins the Kimberley Block, a plateau upheld by Early to Middle Proterozoic rocks underlain by presumably Archean basement. The crater and upper pipe zones of the diatreme have been preserved within tilted and faulted strata of Middle to Late Proterozoic age. Its age of intrusion is about 1178 Ma. The diatreme rock is not kimberlite but olivine lamproite which was not recognized as a primary diamond host rock until 1978. Annual production is about 34 million carats which places Australia as the world's number one diamond-producing country, although, because of the low value per carat, it is number four in terms of total annual value. -from Author

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)383-390
Number of pages8
JournalExploration & Mining Geology
Volume1
Issue number4
Publication statusPublished - 1992
Externally publishedYes

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