ALROSA ’ S UDACHNY MINE A DIAMOND STORY
overed in 1949 in the Soviet Union
two prospecting holes ,” Shchukin recounted . “ One of them was a perfect octahedron with 4 mm facets . This is important to notice that we made 200 prospecting holes at Zarnitsa pipe and no diamonds were found . As for Udachnaya pipe , we took a small sample , transported it to the base and extracted further 43 crystals . The grades were high – about 3 carats per cubic meter . It was clear the pipe was very large .”
Going underground With a name that means “ lucky ” in
Russian , the Udachnaya pipe has lived up to its namesake not only because of its quick discovery , but because it consists of two parallel kimberlite pipes that meet each other near the surface . Udachnaya is the richest Yakut primary deposit by grades and reserves .
Today the Udachny mine is in the final stages of closure , transitioning into a more cost effective and profitable underground operation . Shchukin , now 86 , remembers the unusual circumstances surrounding the pipeline ’ s discovery .
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