Udachnaya diamond mine, Diamond mine in Daldyn-Alakit field, Sakha Republic, Russia
Udachnaya is a diamond mine in the Sakha Republic that descends about 600 meters deep, ranking among the world's deepest open-pit operations. The site runs extraction work year-round with specialized equipment designed for the harsh environment near the Arctic Circle.
Soviet geologist Vladimir Shchukin discovered the diamond deposit on June 15, 1955, just two days after his team found the nearby Mir pipe. These back-to-back discoveries transformed the region into one of the Soviet Union's most productive diamond fields.
The mine's name comes from a Russian word meaning lucky, which inspired the nearby settlement that grew around it.
Operations run throughout the year under management by the Russian diamond company Alrosa since 2010. Plan for extreme cold temperatures and limited access, as the mine sits in a remote location near the Arctic Circle.
The mine produces around 10.4 million carats of diamonds per year, making it one of the world's largest diamond operations. This remarkable output is achieved using advanced extraction methods adapted to the harsh Arctic conditions.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
