LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (June 01, 1992)

To say that diamonds are virtually worthless is a gross misrepresentation of the facts (“Diamond find won’t help mining,” T.N.M., April 20/92).

Yes, synthetic industrial diamond production exceeds natural industrial diamonds, but only because there are not enough natural stones to meet demand. Every company that is involved in diamond production throughout the world is making a ton of money.

Diamonds are a minable mineral, and they create jobs regardless of how the final product is marketed.

As for sticking to conventional base and precious metals in Canada, why find copper in Canada when it is cheaper to find and mine it in Chile? Why not nickel in Tanzania or gold in Colombia for the same reason? As Canadians, we cannot become too righteous about what is proper for our explorers. Because of apathy toward diamonds, we are the last continent to get off our butts and look for them. Lo and behold, we may have them, too. E.A. Schiller

Edmonton, Alta.