A Hole Lot of Diamonds
Welcome to Mir Mine, Siberia’s massive open-pit diamond mine, and yep, it’s as big as it looks. Spanning a jaw-dropping 1,722 feet deep and over 3,900 feet wide, it’s like someone scooped out a chunk of the Earth with a colossal spoon.
This gaping wonder was dug in the 1950s, during the Soviet era, and quickly became one of the largest diamond mines in the world. Helicopters are advised to steer clear of this spot because of the vortex it creates—seriously! While it’s no longer active, it remains one of the most famous landmarks in mining history. A true diamond in the rough, wouldn’t you say?