The Argyle Diamond Mine was a diamond mine located in the East Kimberley region in the remote north of Western Australia. Argyle was at times the largest diamond producer in the world by volume, although the proportion of gem-quality diamonds was low. It was the only known significant source of pink and red diamonds, and additionally provided a large proportion of other naturally coloured diamonds, including champagne, cognac and rare blue diamonds.
The open pit of the Argyle diamond mine. A large mining truck is visible on the road for scale.
Uncut diamond crystal from the Argyle mine, 4.27 carats
A large brown Argyle diamond, 3.6 carats
Aerial view of the open pit in 2007
Kimberley (Western Australia)
The Kimberley is the northernmost of the nine regions of Western Australia. It is bordered on the west by the Indian Ocean, on the north by the Timor Sea, on the south by the Great Sandy and Tanami deserts in the region of the Pilbara, and on the east by the Northern Territory.
Lennard River
Bungle Bungles - Echidna Chasm
Geikie Gorge National Park, Fitzroy River, 2007
China Wall - a natural rock formation near Halls Creek