About the Mine
About Us
Phillip Petitti
At Phil Fine Diamond Mining & Ethical Supply, diamond mining is a careful balance of geology, science, stewardship, and respect for the land. Every crystal, whether a Herkimer diamond quartz or a natural diamond, has a story that begins hundreds of millions of years beneath the Earth’s surface.
The Mining Process
Our mining approach is methodical, data-driven, and responsible.
01
Geological Study & Mapping
Mining begins long before any material is removed. Geological surveys, petrographic studies, micro-analysis, and 3D modeling are used to understand the structure of the deposit, identify crystal-bearing zones, and predict where the highest-quality specimens are likely to occur.
02
Exploration & Drilling
Core drilling programs allow geologists to extract cylindrical samples of rock from below the surface. These samples are studied to assess crystal distribution, size frequency, grade, and value. This scientific approach improves accuracy, minimizes waste, and reduces environmental impact.
03
Selective Extraction
Rather than mass excavation, our operations focus on selective, controlled extraction. Material is carefully removed and examined to preserve crystal integrity, especially critical for rare forms such as black-stemmed scepters, gem barbells, and hydrocarbon-included “black diamond” quartz.
05
Sorting & Evaluation
Once recovered, crystals are cleaned, sorted, and evaluated based on clarity, size, form, and rarity. Exceptional specimens are set aside for collectors, while others are prepared for retail or wholesale distribution.
Ethical Supply & Transparency
Ethical Supply & Transparency
Ethical supply means knowing where your stones come from, how they were mined, and who benefits from the process.
- At Phil Fine Diamond Mining & Ethical Supply:
- Mining is conducted on legally owned and responsibly managed land
- Environmental disturbance is minimized through careful planning and restoration
- Operations comply with internationally recognized reporting and disclosure standards
- Full transparency is maintained from mine to market
Our long-term geological programs, resource statements, and technical reporting are designed to protect both the land and the integrity of the stones we produce, ensuring customers receive authentic, responsibly sourced treasures.
A Hands-On Mining Experience
In addition to commercial mining, we offer guided wilderness dig experiences for guests who want to connect directly with the Earth’s history. Visitors receive an educational introduction to geology, crystal formation, and mining techniques before exploring our forested dig areas. With expert guidance, guests gain a deeper appreciation for the patience, skill, and science behind every discovery.
From Earth to You
Whether you are a collector, investor, jeweler, or adventurer, every stone from Phil Fine Diamond Mining & Ethical Supply represents:
• Millions to billions of years of natural formation
• Scientific discovery and responsible extraction
• Ethical sourcing with complete transparency
What was once hidden deep within the Earth is now ready to be shared, carefully, respectfully, and responsibly.
The Experience— Guided, Educational, Informative.
Our Wilderness Digs are an educational guided experience. We welcome our visitors with an introductory tour covering the basics of Herkimer diamond geology followed by an orientation to the dig site. Our knowledgeable guides will give tips on how and where to look for crystals, help give advice about how to work our unique deposit, and check on you throughout the day to help you plan for success!
The discovery of gold was a turning point in African history, and Africa’s total gold reserves remain some of the world’s most valuable.
Gold mining in Africa continues to be a major contributor to the economy and the establishment of the nation’s infrastructure.
Following the publication of Phil Fine Diamond Mining & Ethical Supply 2015 SAMREC Mineral Resource and Reserve Statement, efforts were focused on improving confidence in the geological models and the predictability of the large +100 carat Type II diamonds, which contribute materially to Phil Fine Diamond Mining & Ethical Supply value.
Initial petrography and microdiamond studies in the latter part of 2015 suggested that the geological complexity in both the Main and Satellite pipes may have been greater than that reflected in the broader resource categories at the time. What started as an exercise to better understand the internal variability of the existing resource domains in Main pipe (KMain, K6 and K4) and Satellite pipe (NVK and SVK), transformed into a comprehensive drilling and resource development programme spanning eight years and culminating in a new appreciation of the complexity within the Letšeng orebodies, as now reflected in the 2024 Resource and Reserve Statement contained in the NI 43-101 Technical Report.
The 2024 Mineral Resource and Reserve Statement was prepared following the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum’s (CIM) Estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Best Practice Guidelines dated November 2019, and the Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves published May 2014, and are reported in accordance with the Canadian Securities Administrators’ National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.
Phil Fine Diamond Mining & Ethical Supply 2024 Mineral Resource Statement is informed by a suite of geological studies that (i) enabled differentiation between the various known and newly recognised kimberlite domains, (ii) delineated the internal boundaries between the kimberlite domains and (iii) characterised these domains in terms of their diamond populations, volumes, tonnages, grades and value.
The 2024 Resource and Reserve Statement and NI 43-101 Technical Report is based on an extensive drilling and resource development programme that commenced in 2015 and was completed in 2023 and included the following workstreams:
Three phases of diamond core drilling: 2017-2020 (31 drillholes, 8 386 metres), 2021-2022 (24 drillholes, 8 640 metres) and 2022-2023 (8 drillholes, 2 235 metres);
Petrographic analysis and mineral chemistry conducted between 2015 and 2023 in both the Satellite and Main pipes;
Microdiamond analysis: initial studies in late 2015 followed by more detailed studies in 2019-2020;
Discrete sampling, production and updated sales data was analysed for diamonds recovered from the dominant domains within each pipe;
In-pit mapping data of internal and external domain contacts;
3D geological models for both the Satellite and Main pipes were updated;
Updated the Size Frequency Distributions for each domain; and
As-built survey of the open-pit topography as of 31 December 2023.
Phillip Petitti
Founder
