The Mir Mine (also known as the Mirny Mine) is a massive open-pit diamond mine located in Mirny, Sakha Republic, in the Siberian region of eastern Russia. It stands as a profound testament to mining engineering, being one of the largest human-excavated holes in the world.

Immense Scale and Operational History

Dimensions: The mine is approximately 525 meters (1,722 feet) deep and 1,200 meters (3,900 feet) in diameter. Its sheer size was so immense that the airspace above the mine was once closed due to concerns that powerful downdrafts could endanger helicopters.

Historical Significance: Opened in 1957, the mine quickly became one of the most historically significant diamond mining sites. During its peak operation, it was instrumental in supplying diamonds to the Soviet Union and later to Russia.

Transition: Open-pit operations ceased in 2001, but the mine was successfully recommissioned for underground mining in 2009.

Disaster and Future Prospects

However, in 2017, the Mir Mine suffered a severe flooding incident, which led to the suspension of all mining activities.
While restoration and dewatering plans are underway, industrial-scale production is not expected to resume until approximately 2030−2031. Despite its current non-operational status, the Mir Mine remains an enduring symbol of engineering prowess and one of the most remarkable diamond sites in history.