The Zarnitsa mine in the western Sakha Republic is the first kimberlite diamond pipe discovered in Russia. It was discovered by a pair of geologists – Natalya Sarsadskikh and Larisa Popugayeva – on August 21, 1954. It is owned by mining giant Alrosa, who chose to develop the Mir mine first.
The mine was re-evaluated in the 1908s, and during recent years, according to Alrosa’s website, it was operated by the company’s Udachny Mining and Processing Division. Currently, however, mining operations at this pipe have been suspended “for economic reasons”.
