Diamond-bearing rock formations found in mountains of Antarctica

A type of rock that often contains diamonds has been found in Antarctica for the first time, hinting at mineral riches in the vast, icy continent where all mining is banned.

No diamonds were found, but researchers said they were confident the gems were there. Minerals including gold, platinum, copper and iron plus coal have already been found in Antarctica.

"It would be very surprising if there weren't diamonds in these kimberlites," said Greg Yaxley of the Australian National University in Canberra, who led the research.

Writing in the journal Nature Communications, an Australian-led team reported finding the kimberlite around Mount Meredith, in the Prince Charles Mountains in eastern Antarctica.

Kimberlite is a rare rock that occurs where diamonds are often found. It is named after the South African town of Kimberley, the site of a late 19th-century diamond rush.

That does not mean Antarctica will soon see its own diamond rush. The continent is not only forbiddingly cold and remote but also protected by a treaty that preserves it for scientific research and wildlife, from penguins to seals. The 1991 environmental accord banned mining for at least 50 years.