Diamonds

The Girl Needs to Find a New Best Friend!: 

The Girl Needs to Find a New Best Friend! By Summer Gerbing Race, Poverty and the Environment Professor Raquel R. Pinderhughes Urban Studies Program San Francisco State University Spring 2003 Public has permission to use the material herein, but only if author, course, university and professor are credited. Diamonds

This presentation focuses on Diamonds. It is designed to take you through the astonishing and horrific life of the diamond. It takes you along the cradle to grave lifecycle of diamonds, paying particular attention to the social, environmental and public health impacts of the processes associated with diamonds. We start by taking a close look at the South African extraction process of the gem. We will move on to the social impacts by looking at the working conditions of the miners and the health impact that these individuals face on a daily occurrence. We then move through the distribution and look into who eventually owns the majority of the diamonds. This is followed by a conclusion of the cradle to grave lifecycle of the diamond.: 

This presentation focuses on Diamonds. It is designed to take you through the astonishing and horrific life of the diamond. It takes you along the cradle to grave lifecycle of diamonds, paying particular attention to the social, environmental and public health impacts of the processes associated with diamonds. We start by taking a close look at the South African extraction process of the gem. We will move on to the social impacts by looking at the working conditions of the miners and the health impact that these individuals face on a daily occurrence. We then move through the distribution and look into who eventually owns the majority of the diamonds. This is followed by a conclusion of the cradle to grave lifecycle of the diamond.

Why Diamonds?: 

Why Diamonds? Around the world, individuals increasingly strive to fulfill a purpose for their existence be purchasing materials that are thought to be valuable for some reason or another. We constantly strive to acquire items such as these precious gems without truly understanding the harsh impacts surrounding the social and environmental aspects of the countries producing the natural resource.

Who says a diamond is needed to show love?: 

Who says a diamond is needed to show love? It has been embedded in American culture that the diamond ring is the traditional symbol of marriage and love. The wealthy nations use this natural resource to not only show love for one another but it is also used to show a strange sense of success. We tend to feel more important just by having a gleaming rock on our bodies.

Research Area: 

Research Area Here you can see the diverse and bountiful eco-regions of South Africa. This is what it should look like if it were not for the extraction of diamonds

Extraction of the Diamond and its Environmental Impacts: 

Extraction of the Diamond and its Environmental Impacts Diamonds are extracted by way of subterranean mines or alluvial deposits By using Subterranean mining the diamond is extracted from the diamantiferous chimney of ancient volcanoes, which is either made up of kimberlite or blue rock. Kimberlite and blue rock are found only in the deepest parts of the chimneys of volcanoes. The miner must go to great lengths to tear into the earths crust to extract very small amounts of this natural resource. An average of 250 tons of ore will be mined in an effort to extract only one-carat gem quality polished diamond Alluvial Mining refers to the process of extraction by acquiring diamonds out of riverbeds. This method of extraction forces the miners to dig vigorously through the riverbeds in an effort to find the gleaming stones.

Degradation of the Environment: 

Degradation of the Environment We want to feel as if someone has crawled deep into the earth’s crust to extract something just for us Alluvial Mining Subterranean Mines

Slide8: 

This is a processing plant owned by the De Beers corporation who are the owners of the majority of mines around the world. The plant is part of the extraction and recovery of the diamond. As you can see in this picture a great deal of land has been degraded to make room for this massive plant

Who Suffers from Diamond Mining?: 

Who Suffers from Diamond Mining? Diamond mines are the heart of many communities in South Africa. By having these diamond mines so close to the homes of the population it is with out question that these individuals suffer from the toxic material floating around in their environment.

Who does the mining?: 

Who does the mining? Mining is now very technical and little man power is involved. Machinery has taken jobs away from workers and only few individuals who have been trained to operate these tools are employed. Although there fewer men needed to mine in South Africa, there still tends to be a small demand for individuals who will risk their lives for very little pay.

Health Impacts Related to Miners: 

Health Impacts Related to Miners Many miner face the risk of respiratory problems due to dust in and around the mine area. Miners may also face health problems due to heat stress, blood pressure and hypertension. Life threatening injuries occur often due to the lack of proper safety equipment.

Living Conditions of Miners: 

Living Conditions of Miners Welcoming sign at the De Beers mine dormitory in Kimberley, South Africa

Slide13: 

Showers in the dormitory are given as a reward for a good day of work

Slide14: 

Homes of Miners in South Africa

Social Impacts of Diamonds: 

Social Impacts of Diamonds With the loss of jobs due to the development of machinery, communities surrounding the diamond mines are left with little to survive on. When jobs are no where to be found individuals turn to survival mode and conflict is created.

Where Do All These Diamonds Go After We Tear Them From The Earth?: 

Where Do All These Diamonds Go After We Tear Them From The Earth? It is not likely that any of the diamonds extracted in South Africa return back to the hands of the African community It is the Developed Nations who get to wear these valuable gems and not the country who produces them

Slide17: 

De Beers is the leading company in the diamond industry. This companies involvement has helped to destroy many positive aspects of life in South Africa. By 1889 De Beers had already taken control of the majority of mines around the world. De Beers uniquely has the mining, recovery, sorting and valuation of the diamond process in a tight locked position. This allows the company to set the price within the industry. Lives are not! Corporation Behind the Mining

Slide18: 

In order for us to feel important we tear apart communities until they can no longer breathe

Conclusion: 

Conclusion We must find an answer to this problem facing South Africa. It is essential to find other means of fulfilling our need to have precious jewels on our fingers or around our necks. Our society should no longer allow the elite diamond executives to make decisions for us. Our desire to have these gems has ripped opened the heart of this once bountiful nation. After examining the harsh impacts diamond mining has had on South Africa’s environment and society I hope you will think twice about purchasing your next diamond.