Geophysical Survey, Exploration Yield 5 Diamonds In East Chhattisgarh

After processing 200 tonnes of bulk sample material from the Balod-Belmundi diamond block in Saraipali district, three of the five diamonds obtained were found to be of gem quality and the remaining two were of non-gem quality, an official spokesperson said here on Tuesday.’

“The discovery has been officially approved by NMDC (National Mineral Development Corporation)-CMDC (Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation (CMDC) Ltd, a joint venture between NMDC and CMDC),” the official spokesperson said.

According to the company, the area was identified as a potential diamond-bearing area after stream sediment sampling, geophysical surveys and 500 meters of exploratory drilling.

Based on these findings, 200 tonnes of material was transported to NMDC’s diamond processing facility at Panna in Madhya Pradesh, where the diamonds were recovered.

The company confirmed the results in an official communication on June 22, 2026.

The letter stated that since NMDC-CMDC does not currently have a dedicated facility for safe storage of diamonds, all the five recovered gemstones have been stored in NMDC’s secure safe room in Panna.

The recovered gemstones include two gem-quality whitish diamonds weighing 0.19 carats and 0.06 carats respectively.

Additionally, one yellowish stoneless diamond weighing 0.32 carats and two brownish stoneless diamonds weighing 0.59 carats and 0.06 carats were seized.

Mining experts describe the presence of gem-quality diamonds at such an early stage of exploration as an extremely encouraging sign and suggest the possibility of a more significant diamond resource in the region.

Gem-quality diamonds represent the highest quality category of diamonds and are used primarily in jewelry due to their superior brilliance, transparency and color properties.

Diamonds that are not gemstones are generally used in industrial applications such as cutting and drilling tools.