Diamond Mining in Russia and Canada - Essay Example

The paper "Diamond Mining in Russia and Canada" is an outstanding example of an essay on geography. Diamond is the hardest known naturally occurring mineral on earth. It contains carbon and is very rare, making it the world’s most popular gemstone. Only a few commercially viable mines are currently operational in the world. The following paper highlights the locations of the diamond mines and briefly reveals the technical aspect, the human and environmental issues related to diamond mining.

One of the mines discussed in the videos is, Ekati Diamond Mines located in the North East of Yellow Knife, in Canada, south of the Arctic Circle. Canada also has the Diavik Diamond Mines. They are approximately 300km northeast of Yellow Knife in the northwestern part of Canada around 140 miles south of the Arctic Circle. In Russia, the Nyurbinsky Mines are close to the famous Mir Mines, located in the northeast part of Siberia.

Diamond mining has adverse effects on the environment and the ecosystems (Diavik Diamond Mine). They pollute the water and interfere with water flow. Mining activities lead to the death of the fish, bears, wolverines, and caribou living around the mines. In addition, mining causes land disturbances and the displacement of large portions of the soil. Industrial activities cause air pollution and release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

The workers who toil in the underground tunnels of the Russian mines are at risk of dying in the event the ground above them gives way (Chilcote). The mines also have adverse effects on the lives of individuals living nearby. For example, the interference with the ecosystem eventually leads to depletion of animal food reserves for the Aboriginal communities in Siberia. However, the communities also benefit from the mines. For example, around the Diavik Mines, the company trains and employs locals in their mining industries.

To sum up, the methods used to mine the diamonds include open cast, surface, underground and marine mining. The process requires the use of big drillers, mega movers and large bulldozers (Ekati Diamond Mine National Geographic). Sometimes the use of explosives is necessary. The drillers and the bulldozers could be as high as 28 and 10.5 meters respectively. The shovels of the mega movers have steel alloy to facilitate easy penetration of the hard rocks. Hence, it is essential that the mining companies acquire the appropriate equipment to facilitate easy and safe mining. Read More