India, June 26 -- Five natural diamonds, weighing 1.22 carats, have been found in the Baloda-Belmundi diamond block in Chhattisgarh's Mahasamund district during scientific exploration under a prospecting licence issued to NMDC-CMDC Ltd (NCL). The Union government had approved the 156.80 square kilometres block for a joint venture under a 1957 law following a Chhattisgarh government recommendation.

Officials said the exploration carried out this month included internationally accepted techniques such as stream sediment sampling, ground magnetic and resistivity surveys, and drilling up to a depth of 500 metres. They added that geologists identified a potential diamond-bearing kimberlite body.

Officials said around 200 tonnes of bulk sampl...