Kimberlite Processing and Diamond Recovery

SRC’s world-class Diamond Laboratory and expert team provide comprehensive services to support the exploration and recovery of diamonds, ensuring high-quality results at every stage. We’re at the forefront of advanced diamond recovery techniques and our team of experts are continually improving our methods and facilities.

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Services Schedule

Take a look at the different services we offer and then contact us to get a quote.

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Diamond Recovery Services

Our comprehensive diamond recovery services ensure the meticulous extraction and characterization of diamonds from various sample types and sizes. We offer both micro and macro diamond processing to meet different exploration and mining needs.

Micro Diamond Processing (ISO/IEC 17025 Accredited)

Using caustic fusion techniques to liberate micro-diamonds by dissolving the host rock.

Detailed examination and precise weighing of recovered diamonds for use in size frequency analyses.

Comprehensive documentation including high-quality photography and detailed descriptions of each diamond.

Macro Diamond Processing

Refined DMS technology to separate diamonds from their host rock.

High-precision, X-Ray transmission (XRT) sorting of DMS concentrate to identify and separate diamonds from reject.

High-intensity, dry magnetic separation and grease recovery options to recover small diamonds down to 850 µm. These techniques are also used as scavenger technologies to ensure diamond recovery at all sizes.

Thorough inspection and documentation of recovered macro diamonds.

Applied Diamond Services

SRC supports various stages of diamond exploration and recovery projects with additional specialized services that are unique to the Canadian market and conveniently located for processing.

High-resolution digital imaging of diamonds for accurate documentation and analysis. Parcel layout photography is also offered and separated into groups based on client needs.

Advanced testing to verify the authenticity of natural diamonds.

Advanced characterization of diamond parcels to determine damage or breakage. This aids in more robust grade determinations and frequency size estimates.

Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectrometry is used to determine the concentration and aggregation state of nitrogen within the diamonds.

The luminescence intensity and decay time responses to X-ray irradiation are measured for individual diamonds, parcels of diamonds and gangue material.

The UV response of each diamond can be determined and reported using industry standard technology and methodology.

The internal stresses and strains that may be present within a diamond can be analysed and reported by using a polariscope.

Along with visual determinations, a digital colourimeter is available to aid in colour determinations of individual diamonds.

Our diamond sorting and grading services are tailored to small exploration parcels. We can also grade cut diamonds and larger parcels.

Exploration Parcels: Sorting and grading of small exploration parcels to determine the quality and potential value of the diamonds. These values are for early assessment purposes, with larger parcels required for a more robust value.
Cut Diamonds: Detailed grading of cut diamonds based on established criteria including carat, colour, clarity and cut.
Other Parcels: Comprehensive sorting and grading of larger diamond parcels to meet client specifications and market standards.

Compliance with the Kimberley Process

SRC has a long history of compliance with the Kimberley Process, providing the necessary documentation and certification for achieving Kimberley Process Certificates (KPCs) for rough diamond parcel export and import. The lab maintains a secure chain of custody for all samples, ensuring traceability and compliance with international standards.

Kimberlite Indicator Minerals Recovery Services (ISO/IEC 17025 Certified)

Our kimberlite processing methods are designed to efficiently recover kimberlite indicator minerals (KIMs). These minerals are critical for identifying diamondiferous kimberlite pipes and include minerals such as chrome-garnet, picro-ilmenite, chromite, chrome diopside and olivine.

Sample Preparation: Crushing, sieving and concentrating samples to isolate KIMs
Microscopic Examination: Visual identification and descriptions of KIMs using advanced microscopy techniques
Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) Analysis: Confirmation of mineral identification through SEM analysis to provide qualitative compositional information

Learn more about our heavy mineral analysis services.

Quality Assurance

The micro diamond circuit and indicator mineral observation circuit operates in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 certification, ensuring the highest standards of accuracy and reliability in our laboratory. This certification reflects our commitment to maintaining stringent quality management systems and delivering consistent, reliable results to our clients. The management system and selected methods are accredited by the Standards Council of Canada (Scope of accreditation # 537).

The laboratory is assessed on a regular basis, both internally and externally, to ensure that it continues to meet these requirements.

All other methods and services follow the same strict guidelines of ISO certification.

Security

SRC Geoanalytical Laboratories’ Diamond Laboratory is designed to meet the requirements of the diamond industry. All areas are under 24-hour video surveillance and have controlled access points with additional security personnel available to monitor sample processing.

Sample Handling

To ensure the integrity of the process, a chain of custody is established between the customer and the laboratory. Customer samples are processed in a controlled environment to ensure that confidentiality is maintained at all times.

All samples are handled according to defined security protocols during processing stages. Sample handling is conducted at the lab with due diligence. Samples requiring shipment outside of Canada are handled according to the Kimberly Process.