Technology supplied by South Africa’s De Beers Consolidated Mines has enabled Russia to open its first underground diamond mine, in the Siberian region of Sakha.
The technology will allow miners to penetrate deep below permafrost. As a result, the mine and plant, owned by state firm Almazy Rossi-Sakha (Alrosa), is expected to process about 200,000 tonnes of diamond-bearing ore per year.
Alrosa produces about 90% of Russia’s diamonds through open-pit operations.
As part of a larger deal, De Beers will buy at least US$550 million worth of Alrosa’s diamond production over the next three years.
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