(TALKZIMBABWE) Govt to undertake aeromagnetic diamond survey

Govt to undertake aeromagnetic diamond survey
By: TH.
Posted: Monday, October 25, 2010 12:31 am

GOVERNEMNT will undertake an aeromagnetic survey of the Eastern Highlands to determine the extent of diamond reserves in Manicaland province.

Mines and Mining Development permanent secretary Mr Thankful Musukutwa said this while addressing an Indian delegation that visited Zimbabwe last week to explore trade opportunities in the diamond sector.

Mr Musukutwa said there was need for a scientific study to determine the exact quantity and extent of diamond reserves in the eastern parts of the country.

An aeromagnetic survey is a common type of geophysical survey carried out using a magnetometer aboard or towed behind an aircraft.

While the Government estimates an area of 77 000 hectares of land around Marange is pregnant with diamonds, the exact size of deposits remains unknown.

It is also believed that Zimbabwe has diamond reserves across the country, but these remain largely unknown due to the high cost of exploration.

Mr Musukutwa said the size of diamond reserves in Manicaland was not known with current estimates on the extent of diamond deposits in Marange based on discoveries by small to medium enterprises operating in the area.

"Very soon the Government will undertake an aeromagnetic survey in the Eastern Highlands. The estimates we have came from SMEs, but we need something scientific so we will do an aeromagnetic survey," said Mr Musukutwa.

He said the country remained largely unexplored, but it is believed Zimbabwe could be sitting on vast deposits of unknown diamonds and these could account for 25 percent of diamonds from Africa. The African continent accounts for 60 percent of global diamond output.