Newspaper Article on Designer DiamondsWhat have been the effects of diamond mining on the environment and the people of Africa (or India), in particularly those of Zimbabwe and Sierra Leone? Sierra Leone has gone through decades of resource exploitation. Additionally, a brutal ten-year war has taken its toll on all the inhabitants and the lands they live on. Most of them are among the poorest and least educated people in the world. In Sierra Leone, mining is essentially a way of life for them. When the dry season arrives, many young men are able to dig in the gravel. That's when they head towards the diamond fields. Mining companies hire most men, but sometimes others do all the work for themselves and their families. Most men who work for mining companies will only earn a dollar a day. Many men are forced to drop out of school as children to work in the mines. Sierra Leone has just discovered significant deposits of iron and oil. The families of Marange believe their village would be safer if they had never discovered huge alluvial diamond deposits. Marange's major challenge was the invasion of tens of thousands of miners, merchants and traders who did not submit to local traditional leaders. The diamond rush was followed by much violence. Murder and armed robbery are the most recorded attacks. More than 200 miners were killed in 5 weeks. The Sabi River was the main source of water. The river provided fish, drinking water for humans and livestock, and allowed people to carry out tasks such as laundry. The river was also used for bathing, for children and adults. Since September 2009, the villages have had to watch with pain as the mining companies quickly seize the paper... and as they return to the way they were. This may include filling in the pits where diamond mining was located. Diamond mining faces major energy challenges. This may contribute to global climate change. Artificial diamonds can affect miners because they will be sold in stores at a lower price than real diamonds, meaning miners lose business. Mining can have a major impact on the environment; one of these pathways is deforestation. Before the mining process begins, the entire mined land must be cleared. Deforestation reduces the amount of habitat for animals. In the worst cases, this can even lead to the death of animals. Land dredging occurs when holes are filled with contaminated water. The holes then become a fertile nest for mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects. This can lead to the spread of disease.