minerals
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Miner Finds Enormous 706-Carat Diamond, Promptly Hands It Over To The Government
A pastor and independent miner in Sierra Leone has unearthed an uncut 706-carat diamond estimated to be worth tens of millions of dollars. The pastor turned the diamond over to the government in hopes that the proceeds from its sale will help the impoverished country. But given the history of this former “blood-diamond” nation, what…
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This Alien World Is Not A Frame From Guardians Of The Galaxy
This isn’t a Cassini photo of a Saturn moon against an asteroids field or a frame from Guardians of the Galaxy. This beautiful alien landscape is right here on Earth, a microscopic world hidden inside a gemstone, photographed by Danny J Sanchez. He told me about the process behind his work here.
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Pacific Ocean Floor May Store Hi-Tech ‘21st-Century Gold’
A newly discovered huge concentration of rare-earth minerals—used by everything from phones to flat-screen TVs and lasers—could break China’s stranglehold on over 95 per cent of the world’s known commercially exploitable supply. A stockpile that it’s been holding to ransom. As a gadget lover, you can see why this is important.