DEHUROEN

Plizio Visual Lab

Mir Diamond Mine

Plizio editorial teamData Sources
mine
—°10
Mir Diamond Mine (Russia)

Weather…

The Mir Diamond Mine is an unprecedented testament to human engineering under extreme climatic conditions. Located in the remote city of Mirny in the Russian Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), it is one of the deepest man-made holes in the world. After its discovery in 1955 by Soviet geologists, the mine quickly became the most important source of diamonds in the USSR. With a diameter of nearly 1,200 meters and an astonishing depth of 525 meters, the crater is so massive that the airspace above it has been closed to helicopters, as the immense downdrafts can suck aircraft into the abyss. At the peak of its production, the mine yielded millions of carats of diamonds annually, which were crucial for both industrial applications and the international jewelry market. Although open-pit mining officially ceased in 2001 due to economic and safety reasons, the state-owned company Alrosa continued underground operations until a devastating accident in 2017 temporarily halted the mine.

Explore on the map

How well do you know Russia?

Find cities, landscapes and regions in 10 varied challenges on the interactive map.

Start the map quiz 10 challenges

Your journey, your memory

A postcard from Mir Diamond Mine

Turn your own photo into a personal postcard with a local stamp. Free and no sign-up required.

Create a postcard

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C-31-29-17-741416134-7-23-32
Rain mm171422346683865955402616

📋 Practical info

🏭
What is this place?
This former open-pit diamond mine in Yakutia is recognized as one of the world's largest man-made holes, reaching over 525 meters deep. It stands as an awe-inspiring testament to extreme Soviet engineering and the massive scale of regional resource extraction.
🚪
Visiting
While the open-pit operations have ceased, the colossal crater itself remains a fixed landmark that is generally visible from the adjacent settlement. However, approaching the very edge or descending is typically strictly prohibited for obvious safety and geological reasons.
👀
Where to view it
The immense void can typically be observed from dedicated observation points situated safely back from the unstable rim near the town of Mirny. Taking a scenic flight over the area is often the only way to truly grasp the staggering vastness of the complete circular abyss.
🧺
Local products
Visitors exploring the adjacent town might occasionally find locally crafted souvenirs referencing the diamond industry, though raw diamonds are strictly regulated. The local shops predominantly cater to the hardy everyday needs of those living in this remote, extreme environment.
📆
Active season
The sheer visual impact of the crater is present year-round, making it structurally active as a landmark at all times. During the harsh Siberian winter, the dramatic contrast between the snow-covered town and the deep, dark pit becomes especially profound and visually striking.
➕
Nearby
Exploring this remote site is naturally combined with learning about the wider Yakutian culture, braving the extreme subarctic climate, and perhaps visiting regional museums dedicated to geology and the challenging history of permafrost mining.

Geography

Coordinates
62.52800, 113.99200

Facts

  • Located in Mirny
  • Depth: 525 meters
  • Discovered in 1955
  • Airspace closed to helicopters

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
Motorhome dimensions

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Mir Diamond Mine (10)

Monument pervootkryvateliam almaznoi trubki <<Mir>>🏺 historical

A monument erected in 1970 to honor the discoverers of the Mir diamond pipe in the Yakutian city of Mirny.

Kar'er "Mir"🌿 nature

A spectacular viewpoint over the 525-meter deep Mir crater, one of the world's largest diamond mines.

Mirninsky theatre🎭 culture

The local theater of Mirny, offering cultural performances in Russia's so-called diamond capital.

🕒 Tu-Fr 12:00-23:59; Sa-Su 11:00-23:59

Istoriko-proizvodstvennyi muzei AK "ALROSA"🏛 museum

A museum showcasing the technical history of diamond mining by the ALROSA company in Yakutia.

🕒 Mo 14:00-18:00; We-Fr 14:00-18:00; Sa-Su 13:00-17:00

Spasi i sokhrani📍 landmark

A traditional Orthodox memorial cross standing near the edge of the massive Mir diamond mine pit.

Stela "Mirnyi"📍 landmark

A tall commemorative stela marking the entrance to the diamond-mining city of Mirny.

Botanicheskii sad📍 landmark

A specialized botanical garden showcasing flora capable of surviving the harsh subarctic climate of Yakutia.

🕒 09:00-21:00 15.05 - 15.09

Kraevedcheskii muzei🏛 museum

A local history museum featuring exhibits on the discovery of diamonds in the Yakutian permafrost.

🕒 Mo-Fr 09:00-13:00, 14:00-18:00, Sa 11:00-15:00

Viliuiskoe kol'tso🏺 historical

A monument erected in 2005 on a traffic circle, dedicated to the pioneers of the diamond industry.

Iubileinyi🎭 culture

A bustling central marketplace where locals trade fresh produce in the Arctic region.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Is the Mir diamond mine still active?
Open-pit mining has ceased, underground mining is limited.
Why is the mine so famous?
It is one of the largest artificial holes worldwide.
Can you visit the mine as a tourist?
No, the region is remote and the facility is secured.
What is the best time to visit Yakutia?
Only in summer, as winters are extremely cold.
Is there a museum about diamond mining?
Yes, there is a dedicated diamond museum in the city of Mirny.
Mir Diamond Mine: where is it located?
Mir Diamond Mine is located in Russia.
Mir Diamond Mine: what is there to see?
Highlights include Monument pervootkryvateliam almaznoi trubki <<Mir>>, Kar'er "Mir", Mirninsky theatre.
Mir Diamond Mine: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Mir Diamond Mine: why is it worth visiting?
The Mir Diamond Mine is an unprecedented testament to human engineering under extreme climatic conditions.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
Europe
Explore with Plizio Discover more places in Europe
More places in Russia →

Nearby cities

Novosibirsk — Mir Diamond Mine (Russia)
Novosibirsk
Novosibirsk is the third largest city in Russia and the administrative center of Siberia.
Yekaterinburg — Mir Diamond Mine (Russia)
Yekaterinburg
Yekaterinburg is located on the eastern slopes of the Ural Mountains and marks the geographical border between Europe and Asia.
Chelyabinsk — Mir Diamond Mine (Russia)
Chelyabinsk
Chelyabinsk is a major industrial center located in the Ural Mountains.
Omsk — Mir Diamond Mine (Russia)
Omsk
Omsk is one of the largest cities in Siberia, located at the confluence of the Irtysh and Om rivers.
Krasnoyarsk — Mir Diamond Mine (Russia)
Krasnoyarsk
Krasnoyarsk is located on the banks of the Yenisei River and is one of the oldest cities in Siberia.
Perm — Mir Diamond Mine (Russia)
Perm
Perm is located on the banks of the Kama River in the European part of Russia, near the Ural Mountains.
🗺️
Tyumen
Tyumen was the first Russian city in Siberia and today serves as a major hub for the country's oil and gas industry.
Izhevsk — Mir Diamond Mine (Russia)
Izhevsk
Izhevsk is the capital of the Udmurt Republic and is known worldwide as the armory of Russia.
Barnaul — Mir Diamond Mine (Russia)
Barnaul
Barnaul is the administrative center of Altai Krai in southern West Siberia.
Irkutsk — Mir Diamond Mine (Russia)
Irkutsk
Irkutsk is one of the largest cities in Siberia, located near Lake Baikal.
Khabarovsk — Mir Diamond Mine (Russia)
Khabarovsk
Khabarovsk is located in the Russian Far East at the confluence of the Amur and Ussuri rivers, near the Chinese border.
Vladivostok — Mir Diamond Mine (Russia)
Vladivostok
Vladivostok is the most important Russian port on the Pacific Ocean and the terminus of the Trans-Siberian Railway.
🗺️
Tomsk
Tomsk is one of the oldest cities in Siberia and a major scientific center.
Kemerovo — Mir Diamond Mine (Russia)
Kemerovo
Kemerovo is a significant industrial center in the Kuznetsk Basin (Kuzbass) in Siberia.
Magnitogorsk — Mir Diamond Mine (Russia)
Magnitogorsk
Magnitogorsk is located on the Ural River and is one of the world's largest centers of the iron and steel industry.