AI Summary
Researchers have discovered a method to identify buried diamonds by analyzing DNA in soil microbes. This technique can determine the presence of minerals deep underground without drilling, offering a cost-effective and time-saving tool for mineral exploration.
Researchers have identified buried kimberlite, the rocky home of diamonds, by testing the DNA of microbes in the surface soil. These ‘biological fingerprints’ can reveal what minerals are buried tens of meters below the earth’s surface without having to drill. The researchers believe it is the first use of modern DNA sequencing of microbial communities in the search for buried minerals. The research represents a new tool for mineral exploration, where a full toolbox could save prospectors time and a lot of money,