Diamonds in the deep: How gems are mined from the bottom of the ocean

By Katy Scott, CNN

Updated 0501 GMT (1301 HKT) September 4, 2018

In Namibian waters off the west coast of Southern Africa, enormous mining vessels suck diamonds from the seabed.
Photos: How diamonds are mined from the Atlantic seabed
In Namibian waters off the west coast of Southern Africa, enormous mining vessels suck diamonds from the seabed.
Hide Caption
1 of 15
These ships operated by Debmarine Namibia mine 24 hours a day, 365 days a year within a 2,300 square mile area — just under half the size of Jamaica.
Photos: How diamonds are mined from the Atlantic seabed
These ships operated by Debmarine Namibia mine 24 hours a day, 365 days a year within a 2,300 square mile area — just under half the size of Jamaica.
Hide Caption
2 of 15
Since operations began in 2002, Debmarine Namibia has extracted <a href="http://www.chamberofmines.org.na/files/9015/2458/3445/COM__2017_AR_Web.pdf" target="_blank">nearly 16 million carats</a> of marine diamonds from the ocean.
Photos: How diamonds are mined from the Atlantic seabed
Since operations began in 2002, Debmarine Namibia has extracted nearly 16 million carats of marine diamonds from the ocean.
Hide Caption
3 of 15
Each mining ship has a team of 120, with 60 people working on board for each 28-day rotation. Employees are flown by helicopter to and from the vessel.<br />
Photos: How diamonds are mined from the Atlantic seabed
Each mining ship has a team of 120, with 60 people working on board for each 28-day rotation. Employees are flown by helicopter to and from the vessel.
Hide Caption
4 of 15
The diamond mining company sends out unmanned, autonomous vehicles to survey the seabed.
Photos: How diamonds are mined from the Atlantic seabed
The diamond mining company sends out unmanned, autonomous vehicles to survey the seabed.
Hide Caption
5 of 15
They also make use of a two-person submarine to examine the geology of the seafloor.
Photos: How diamonds are mined from the Atlantic seabed
They also make use of a two-person submarine to examine the geology of the seafloor.
Hide Caption
6 of 15
Using this technology, Debmarine Namibia can identify areas of the seabed which contain diamonds and devise a comprehensive mine plan.
Photos: How diamonds are mined from the Atlantic seabed
Using this technology, Debmarine Namibia can identify areas of the seabed which contain diamonds and devise a comprehensive mine plan.
Hide Caption
7 of 15
One of the ships has a 280-ton track-mounted crawler that moves in a horizontal arc and mines in lanes.<br />
Photos: How diamonds are mined from the Atlantic seabed
One of the ships has a 280-ton track-mounted crawler that moves in a horizontal arc and mines in lanes.
Hide Caption
8 of 15
The crawler is remote-controlled and allows for the ship to mine much faster.
Photos: How diamonds are mined from the Atlantic seabed
The crawler is remote-controlled and allows for the ship to mine much faster.
Hide Caption
9 of 15
Once diamonds have been separated in a sorting plant they are sealed in tin cans. No human hands touch diamonds during the sorting and sealing process.
Photos: How diamonds are mined from the Atlantic seabed
Once diamonds have been separated in a sorting plant they are sealed in tin cans. No human hands touch diamonds during the sorting and sealing process.
Hide Caption
10 of 15
The diamonds are then placed in steel cases and flown by helicopter to onshore vaults.
Photos: How diamonds are mined from the Atlantic seabed
The diamonds are then placed in steel cases and flown by helicopter to onshore vaults.
Hide Caption
11 of 15