India's largest iron ore miner NMDC and top diamond producer De Beers announced that they have found traces of diamond deposits in Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, The Hindu reported.
Both companies are also currently conducting gold surveys in these countries.
According to the report, the two diamond companies' explorations in the three states resulted in the discovery of 41 kiberlites and 13 lamproite pipes, which hint to the existence of possible diamond deposits underneath. Kimberlite and lamproite are solidified volcanic magma and work as elevators to bring diamonds with other minerals to the earth’s surface.
“So far, a total of 339 Reconnaissance Permits (RPs) have been issued covering an areas of 4,66,556 sq km, out of which aerial surveys have been conducted in 27 RPs,” the paper quoted an official statement by India's Mines Ministry as saying.
