The Udachnaya pipe (Russian: тру́бка Уда́чная, literally lucky pipe) is a diamond deposit in the Daldyn-Alakit kimberlite field in Sakha Republic, Russia.[1] It is an open-pit mine,[2] and is located just outside the Arctic Circleat66°26′N 112°19′E / 66.433°N 112.317°E / 66.433; 112.317.[3]
The Udachnaya pipe
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| Location | |
|---|---|
  Udachnaya pipe Location in Sakha Republic, Russia Show map of Sakha Republic Udachnaya pipe Udachnaya pipe (Russia) Show map of Russia | |
| Location | Mirninsky District |
| Federal subject | Sakha Republic |
| Country | Russia |
| Coordinates | 66°26′N 112°19′E / 66.433°N 112.317°E / 66.433; 112.317 |
| Production | |
| Products | Diamonds |
| Owner | |
| Company | Alrosa |
Udachnaya was discovered on 15 June 1955, just two days after the discovery of the diamond pipe Mir by Soviet geologist Vladimir Shchukin and his team.[4] It is about 640 metres (2,100 ft) deep, making it the third deepest open-pit mine in the world (after Bingham Canyon Mine and Chuquicamata).[4]
The nearby settlement of Udachny is named for the deposit.
As of 2010[update], Udachnaya pipe is controlled by Russian diamond company Alrosa, which planned to halt open-pit mining in favor of underground mining in 2010.[2]
The mine has estimated reserves of 225.8 million carats (45.16 t) of diamonds and an annual production capacity of 10.4 million carats (2.08 t).[5]
