Could 3d printing change diamond mining as we know it?

(israelidiamond.co.il) - 3D printing has gained in popularity in recent years, and has filtered in the jewelry business. For example, UK jewelry making supplier Cooksongold has unveiled its latest Advanced Metal Powder at the Baselworld Jewellery Fair, enabling 3D Printing technology to become a viable commercial opportunity for the platinum jewelry industry for the first time. Now, according to a new piece on Mining Weekly, 3D printing could actually benefit the mining industry as well. According to the piece, 3D printing of equipment used in mines “could make operations more cost effective and reduce the frustrations of equipment downtime”. According to Wipro, a South African information technology consultancy and systems integration firm, 3D printing could make “the spare parts and replaceable components that complex mine machinery requires”, thereby giving operators “greater control over the supply chain and ensure the smooth running of equipment”.