Portal:Western Australia/Selected article/5

The Argyle diamond mine was a diamond mine located in the north-east of Western Australia and was commissioned in December 1985. It ceased operation in November 2020. The Argyle mine was the largest diamond producer in the world by volume, although due to the low proportion of gem-quality diamonds, was not the leader by value. It was the only known significant source of pink diamonds, producing 90 to 95% of the world's supply. The Argyle diamond mine was also notable for being the first commercial diamond mine exploiting a volcanic pipe of lamproite, rather than the more usual kimberlite pipe. The mine was owned by the Rio Tinto Group, a diversified mining company which also owns the Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada and the Murowa diamond mine in Zimbabwe.