Advancing diamond exploration - novel techniques for the interpretation of indicator minerals

钻石生产是澳大利亚的重要产业，2004-05年度出口总值为6.5亿澳元。其中大部分产量来自西澳大利亚的Argyle矿，该矿可能已接近产能尽头。因此，有必要重振澳大利亚的钻石勘探，以便发现新的和重要的矿床。该提案的结果将为钻石勘探公司提供改进的矿物学工具，以评估由金伯利岩或煌斑岩岩浆取样的岩石圈部分可能的钻石品位，从而更好地指导勘探策略。

Diamond production is an important industry in Australia, with a total export value in 2004-05 of $650 million. Most of this production comes from the Argyle Mine in Western Australia, which may be nearing the end of its productivity. Therefore, there is a need to reinvigorate exploration for diamond in Australia, in order for new and significant deposits to be discovered. The outcomes of this proposal will provide diamond exploration companies with improved mineralogical tools to assess the likely diamond grade of parts of the lithosphere sampled by kimberlite or lamproite magmas, thus better directing exploration strategies.