Our mines
Rio Tinto is one of the largest producers of rough diamonds in the world. Rio Tinto currently produces about 20 per cent of the world's rough diamonds by volume through the Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada, the long-established Argyle Diamond Mine in the east Kimberley region of Western Australia and the Murowa Diamond Mine in Zimbabwe.
The Argyle diamond mine
The Argyle Diamond Mine, 100 per cent owned by Rio Tinto, has been operating since 1983. Argyle is the world's largest supplier of diamonds and is producing approximately 30 million carats each year from its operations in the east Kimberley region in the remote north of Western Australia. The diamonds produced by Argyle are found in a range of colours including white, champagne and pink. Argyle is the world's primary source of rare pink diamonds, which have become the company's signature stone.
The Diavik diamond mine
Rio Tinto plc owns a 60 per cent interest in and manages the Diavik Diamond Mine in the Northwest Territories of Canada. The Diavik Mine reserves are estimated at 90.2 million carats of rough diamonds contained in three ore deposits called kimberlite pipes. The pipes, called A154 South, A154 North, and A418, are small by world average, but are very high grade with some of the world's highest per tonne ore value. Operating since 2003, the Diavik Mine is currently producing some 9 million carats per annum.
The Murowa diamond mine
The Murowa Diamond Project, located in Zimbabwe, is a relatively small-scale production operation managed by Rio Tinto. Operating since 2004, it is currently producing around 250,000 carats per annum.
