Surface Properties of Diamonds Recovered from Metasomatically Modified Kimberlites during Processing
V. A. CHANTURIA1, G. P. DVOICHENKOVA1, O. E. KOVAL’CHUK2
1Institute for Problems of Comprehensive Exploitation of Mineral Resources, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kryukovskii tupik 4, Moscow, 111020 Russia
2Geological Research Unit, ALROSA, Chernyshevskoe shosse 16, Mirny, 678174 Russia
Keywords: Kimberlite, slurry, diamond, mineral, analysis, mineral formations, admixtures, hydrophobic property, surface
Abstract
Based on the mineralogical research package, the authors state adequacy of compositions of modified kimberlites and mineral processing slurry. Investigation results show high content of clayey minerals such as talcum, talcum-saponite, chlorite-saponite, Na-saponite and X-ray amorphous phase up to 50 %. Calcite, dolomite and serpentine are present. Using optical microscopy, infrared spectroscopy and X-ray microspectral analysis, the surface composition of natural diamonds is studied when they interact with the traced minerals. The authors have found the sequence and conditions for mineral formations on diamond surface during processing of metasomatically modified kimberlites.
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