Scientists Discover Diamond Indicator Plant in Africa

Australian Mining reported that studies have uncovered a new plant that could help geologists find diamonds. Located in Africa, the plant reportedly grows only above kimberlite pipes.

As quoted in the market news:

These kimberlite pipes typically play host to diamond bodies.

The plant itself was identified by Stephen Haggerty, a geophysicist who discovered the mineral haggertyite.

According to Haggerty, during exploration work in Liberia ‘an elusive diamond-bearing kimberlite pipe was located, [as] a bonus to the pipe location is that an unusual botanical indicator, Pandanus candelabrum, is now recognised exclusively on the pipe and not in eluvium covering the adjacent kimberlite dike’.

‘The identification of Pandanus candelabrum,with stilt-like aerial roots, is the first plant to be described that has a marked affinity for kimberlite pipes,’ Haggerty said.

‘This could dramatically change the exploration dynamics for diamonds in West Africa, as geobotanical mapping and sampling is cost-effective in tough terrain.’

Click here to read the full Australian Mining report.