Diamond from Udachnaya

Udachnaya open pit mine

Australia

Africa

Angola

Botswana

Namibia

South Africa

Sierra Leone

Canada

Russia

Exploration Status
Since discovery of the Grib Pipe in February of 1996 and through November, 1999, Archangel has spent or accrued about US$17 million exploring the Verkhotina license area located 115 kilometers north northeast of Arkhangel'sk Russia. In total, 68 boreholes aggregating 19,557 meters (64,148 feet) have been completed on the Pipe. About 889 tonnes of crater facies and kimberlite material have been recovered and processed through the Pomorye treatment plant recovering 13,920 stones of +1mm diamonds weighing 725.7carats. The largest diamond recovered to date weighs 5.36 carats.

The mining area in the desolate, frozen (winter temperatures drop to -140 F) province of Western Yakutia is full of diamond riches. Once the Russians determined how to mine and live under the vile weather conditions, they quickly brought a number of major mines into production. The Mir, or Peace, became the most famous.

Today Russia continues as a major producer, with much of its output made up of high-quality diamonds. The government willingly (if quietly) sends its rough diamonds into normal distribution channels. The Russians also polish some stones, and these are normally sold to the international trade through the Antwerp marketplace.