In an important environmental step for the diamond industry, the Argyle Diamond Mine in Western Australia has been self-sufficient in terms of water supply for the last eight months, ABC.net reported.

Argyle Diamond Mine Health, Safety, and Environment Manger Peter Firth said that new options for water source were making a great difference in the mine's operations, but warned that a bad rainy season could force the mine to resume using lake water.

Firth noted that the mine's biggest water consumer was the processing plant, which uses water in the diamond separation process. Now, what would have been discarded as wastewater is being recycled.

In addition, Firth explained, water from the mine's underground operation and surface pit was being funneled into two dams, which provide drinking water and water for mine operations, if necessary.



The Argyle Mine, owned by Rio Tinto, is one of the largest diamond producers in the world and is the source of 90% of the world's rare pink and red colored diamonds.