Fresh diamond deposits have been found in Madhya Pradesh during an exploratory survey carried out by Rio Tinto, a mining company.

The firm has found fifteen kimberlite pipes; out of fifteen, they traced diamonds in five kimberlite pipes in Panna and Chhattarpur districts of MP.

The government had given exploration licences to 30 domestic and international companies, permitting them for the excavation of precious minerals like diamond, gold, silver, platinum, copper, zinc and nickel.

Three reconnaissance permits were issued during 2006-07 enlisting private participation for use of sophisticated equipments in exploratory work.

Madhya Pradesh is the top state in India today in diamond mining with the Panna mine producing 15000 carats of both gem and industrial variety stones annually.

Nearby Chattishgarh state has also huge diamond deposits but commercial mining is not started yet there.

During exploratory survey by Messrs Geo Mysore Services (India) Pvt Ltd, traces of gold and nickel were found in Sidhi district, gold in Katni, gold and copper in Shahdol and platinum-palledium in Betul district.