The sixth edition of a yearly short course on diamonds will take place at the University of Pretoria (UP) from October 24 to 26, with an insight-enhancing underground diamond mine excursion offered on October 27.

The course will cover diamond exploration and the mineral’s primary and secondary sources, and will be led by diamond exploration experts Tsodilo Resources president and COO Mike de Wit and Global Diamond Network director Dr John Bristow.

The course is presented at UP by international experts and features the latest developments and new technological applications in exploration methods; geophysics as applied to diamond exploration; the origin of diamonds; mineral chemistry; petrography; settings of kimberlites/lamproites, including cratons; secondary diamond deposits (alluvial diamonds); diamond mining methods; and processing. In addition, treatment and recovery procedures of diamonds are also covered, with strong emphasis on new technologies which are enhancing recoveries, cutting costs and ensuring recoveries of large stone populations owing to reduced diamond breakage.

The course covers current research and developments relating to diamonds and provides hands-on practical experience for geology honours students of UP’s Geology Department. It is also intended for individuals from the diamond industry and service organisations, as well as junior miners and bankers, all of whom may have an interest in diamond exploration, mining, recovery and processing.

The course costs R7 000 a person, and includes refreshments, comprehensive course notes, and a visit to the Cullinan diamond mine.

Funds raised from the course are used to assist geology honours students and support a postgraduate fund for junior lecturers in the Geology Department.

Participants receive a certificate on completion of the course.

Support for the diamond short course is provided by Mining Weekly, Petra Diamonds, De Beers, Consulmet, the Geological Society of South Africa, MSA and the Society of Economic Geologists.