Abstract
Diamonds and ultramafic xenoliths found in lamproites represent samples of the mantle ocurring near, and overlying, the source rocks of these magmas. Despite their rarity, these samples contribute significantly to the economic and scientific importance of lamproites. There are seven known diamondiferous lamproite provinces, fields, or occurrences on five continents: West Kimberley, Argyle, Prairie Creek, Bobi, Majhgawan, Kapamba, and Coromandel. These diamondiferous lamproites range in age from Proterozoic (1.2 Ga) to Miocene (20–22 Ma). The lamproites from the Ellendale field, West Kimberley province, represent the youngest-recognized, near-economic sources of primary diamond in the world.
One rock is as good as another to be wrecked on.
George Bernard Shaw
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© 1991 Springer Science+Business Media New York
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Mitchell, R.H., Bergman, S.C. (1991). Diamonds, Xenoliths, and Exploration Techniques. In: Petrology of Lamproites. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-3788-5_9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-3788-5_9
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
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