Russia accounts for approximately 21% of global diamond production, most of which is mined in the Sakha Respublikata in Yakut (Yakutia) of Siberia, just below the Arctic circle.
Mirna (Mir Mirny) Mine
The Mirny diamond mine is located in Mirna City just below the Arctic circle in the Sakha Republic of Eastern Siberia in northeastern Russia. The Mirna mine is built over the Malaya Botuobiya kimberlite field. The mine is located in permafrost which extends to a depth of 1600 feet. Temperatures in the Mirna mine range from -50F to -70F.
The Mirna Diamond Mine is the deepest open pit diamond mine and one of the deepest open pit ore mines in the world at nearly 2000 feet. It takes approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours for an ore truck to drive from the bottom of the mine to the upper rim. Mira (Mir or Peace) is the oldest diamond mine in this region. The first discovery of kimberlite in the Sakha region occurred in 1954. The Mir kimberlite field was discovered in 1955. Opened in 1957, the Mirna mine has ceased operation since its exhaustion. While in operation the mine had an averaged yield of 2 million carats annually.
Photo Attribution - Unknown/Public Domain
Udachny Mine (Udachnaya)
The Udachnaya Diamond Mine (Udachny) is located within the Arctic circle in the Sakha Republic of northeastern Russia. The mine is an open-pit operation taking place on a kimberlite field. The Udachnaya (meaning Lucky) pipe is the largest diamond deposit in Russia, and one of the largest in the world. The mine consists of two main bodies which are both diamondiferous (consisting of heavy mineral sands). The Udachnaya mine is one of the largest open pits in the world and has yielded a high quantity of large diamonds. The Mirna and Udachnaya kimberlite fields were discovered within ten days of eachother.
Photo Attribution - Unknown/Public Domain
Anabar Mine
Anabar is also located within the Arctic circle in the Sakha Republic of northeastern Russia. Anabar Diamond Mine is the northern-most location of Russia's diomond mines and is located along placer deposits from the Byllyakh and Anabar rivers. Anabar is primarily a placer (surface) mine operated during the short northern summer season due to harsh weather conditions. There are no annual roads in the region so cargo is delivered by frozen river during the winter.
Jubilee (Yubileinaya) Mine
The Jubilee Diamond Mine (aks Yubileinaya mine) is the newest mine in the Sakha Republic, starting operations in 1986. The mine is constructed over the 'Yubileinaya' kimberlite pipe. The Yubileinaya Jubilee mine is operated by ALROSA.
Mining Exploration in Western Russia
Exploration and geological prospecting for new alluvial diamond deposits in Russia's Perm region are presently being conducted by the newly formed 'JSC Permgeologodobycha,' in Krasnovishersk, Perm Oblast (Ural Mountains). Exploration and feasibility studies are being conducted by the mining firm Alrosa (Almazy Rossii-Sakha), on five kimberlite pipes at the Lomonosov deposit near Arkhangel'sk, and Archangel Diamond Corporation of Vancouver, British Columbia, is conducting feasibility studies on the 'Grib Pipe' diamond deposit in the Verkhotina Area, in Arkhangel'sk.
