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Ambarish Mukherjee

Of late, a number of global mining giants have been taking keen interest in Indian diamond mining that include De Beers, Rio Tinto and BHP.

NEW DELHI, March 15

BHP-BILLITON, the world's largest diversified mining group, will soon be applying to the Government seeking permission to start exploration for diamonds and other precious stones in India.

The company proposes to take up diamond exploration in the country through its two wholly-owned Indian subsidiary companies, namely BHP Minerals (India) Pvt Ltd and BHP Khanij Anveshana Pvt Ltd.

These two companies have already established their presence in the Indian mining sector and have been awarded `reconnaissance permits' (RPs) for exploration of minerals such as iron, copper, lead, zinc and gold in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh.

Of late, a number of global mining giants have been taking keen interest in Indian diamond mining that include De Beers, Rio Tinto and BHP, among others.

BHP has roped in Perth-based Dwyka Diamonds for its proposed diamond explorations in India.

The company has been active in India for several years and has brought in Dwyka under an alliance deal covering 55,000 sq. km. in the Dharwar Craton in Andhra Pradesh, home to world famous diamonds such as the Kohinoor (793 carats) and the Great Moghul (787 carats).

The two BHP subsidiaries recently received permission from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board to take up diamond exploration and mining in the country.

The BHP-Dwyka alliance also covers licence areas which are said to cover four known diamond-bearing kimberlite pipes. The pipes will be the subject of immediate follow-up work by the alliance, with Dwyka in charge.

Micro-diamonds have been recovered in abundant numbers from the pipes in surface sampling. A steering committee consisting of Dwyka and BHP will oversee the development of the licences and provide technical and other support where required.

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