In the cases of the kimberlite or lamproite pipes, open-pit mining is most commonly used. This involves a progressive digging at the source of the pipe (Open Pit, No Date). In effect, a giant crater is created that allows for transportation of trucks, people and heavy equipment to the bottom (Open Pit, No Date). A mining operation will dig deeper and deeper into the pit, excavating diamonds and their rock hosts. Sometimes, diamonds and their kimberlite or lamproite hosts have been deposited above and around the pit (known as eluvial deposits), which are much simpler to mine (Learning About, No Date).

Of course, once diamonds are extracted from rocks, a skilled process of sorting ensues. Diamonds are manually sorted by experts who determine issues such as size, quality and color to assess whether the diamonds will be sold as gems or to industrial clients. The diamonds are often routed through the Diamond Trading Company - formerly the Central Selling Organization - which has an almost cartel-like influence on diamond distribution (Diamond Trading Company, No Date)

Retrieved Nov. 24, 2006 from the Web site for the University of California at Berkeley at http://socrates.berkeley.edu/~eps2/wisc/Lect6.html.
Diamond Mining" (No Date). Retrieved Nov. 24, 2006 from the Web site for the Environmental Literacy Council at http://www.enviroliteracy.org/article.php/1121.html.

Diamond Trading Company" (No Date). Retrieved Nov. 24, 2006 from the Web Site for De Beers Group at (http://www.debeersgroup.com/debeersweb/About+De+Beers/De+Beers+World+Wide/Diamond+Trading+Company+(Dtc)/.

Learning About Diamonds" (No Date). Retrieved Nov. 24, 2006 from the Web site for Kings Jewelry at http://www.kingsjewelry.com/learning_diamond_mining02.shtml.

Open Pit Surface Mine" (No Date). Retrieved Nov. 24, 2006 from the Web site for Mine Engineer at http://www.mine-engineer.com/mining/open_pit.htm.

World Diamond Mining Production" (2003). Retrieved Nov. 24, 2006 from the Web site for The Diamond Registry at http://www.diamondregistry.com/world.htm.