Orapa Diamond Mine
CountryBotswana
RegionCentral District
Year Opened1971
Size/Depth1.5 km diameter
MineralDiamond
About Orapa Diamond Mine
The worlds largest diamond mine by area. Produces about 11 million carats per year. Located in the Kalahari Desert. The mine employs over 3,000 workers. Botswanas diamond wealth transformed the country from poor to middle-income.
Related Mines
Mir Mine
A massive open-pit diamond mine, 1.2 km in diameter. A popular story claims helicopters are banned o...
Big Hole
The largest hand-dug excavation in the world. Miners removed 22.5 million tonnes of earth with picks...
Diavik Diamond Mine
Located on an island in the Arctic, accessible only by ice road in winter. Produces 6-7 million cara...
Ekati Diamond Mine
Canadas first surface and underground diamond mine. Located 300 km northeast of Yellowknife. Produce...