Diamonds aren't forever. Just ask John J. Teeling, executive chairman of Dublin-based exploration company African Diamonds. During a panel discussion at the recent Wharton Global Alumni Forum in Cape Town, South Africa, Teeling noted that despite its storied past as a leader in gold and diamond production, South Africa "is mined out." Yet conference participants overall suggested that mining will continue to play a major economic role throughout Africa, including in South Africa, as emerging markets like China and India fuel a long-term commodities "super cycle" and African nations become more adept at extracting value from their abundant natural resources.