Blood Diamond Research Papers

Today, diamonds are the most valuable stones in the world not only because of their beauty, but also because of their utility. Diamonds are not only specifically cut for use in jewelry, but they are also used for special cutting tools like saw blades and drills because the stones are extremely hard and durable. Like everything else in the world, diamonds come with a cost and often times the environment and the people in communities surrounding diamond mines foot the bill.
Diamond Mining Means Destruction
Whether diamond mines are responsibly managed or not, environmental destruction is inevitable and like most types of mines the area surrounding the mine is adversely effected. Most diamond mines are open pit mines requiring the digging of thousands of square meters of land. Some diamond operations are conducted on the beach or off shore, in which case retaining walls are built to protect the mine from waves and tidal fluctuations. In these cases, large quantities of sand and rock (and sometimes coral reefs) are removed from the mine and placed elsewhere.
The Government's Role in Reducing Damage
The results of such mining techniques can be catastrophic is left unmanaged. In many African countries that are rich in diamond reserves, yet poor in the enforcement of mining laws, the open pit mines are left once all the
These "blood diamonds," as they are often called, are the result of tribal disputes over land that diamond mining operations become subversively involved in. The diamond mining operations create a situation that allows them to profit from diamond extraction in the disputed area. Many consumers today are becoming more aware of these socio-political issues related to diamond extraction and some diamond certification organizations have been created to track and monitor mining practices around the