Gamma rays used to find diamonds

Marc Howe | October 9, 2012 | 5:54 am Education Africa Europe Diamond 

The University of Johannesburg has successfully registered patents for a new device which is capable of identifying rocks that contain diamonds.

Business Day reports that the MineralPET machine employs techniques applied in nuclear medicine to determine whether diamonds are present within rock formations.

The machine makes use of gamma-rays to ascertain the structure of carbon matter within rocks, and can differentiate diamond from graphite, coal and other mineral types.

The device was developed by the University of Johannesburg in collaboration with both the University of Witwatersrand and engineering firm Bateman Engineering. Project leaders say they are currently in the process of commercializing the new technology, which they believe will reduce the both cost and environmental impact of diamond mining.

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6 Comments

  • Sudeep Soni

    Hi, i want to buy this machine… can u send me the link please

  • Jafta

    Pls tell me where can i order that equipment, please

  • kelvin

    i really this device. is it available now? and where can i make an order.

  • kelvin

    can you test this device on my large land property in Nigeria?

  • soni muharam

    Where I can buy it and how much I must pay.

  • Shan Minthar

    I want to cooperate

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