The history of the first kimberlite pipe discovery in the USSR

DOI: https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2024-5S-38-43

Читать на русскоя языкеV.B. Kuznetsov1 , A.N. Korshunov2
1 MIREA – Russian Technological University, Moscow, Russian Federation
2 National University of Science and Technology MISIS, Moscow, Russian Federation
Russian Mining Industry №5 / 2024 p.38-43

Abstract: At least one thousand books and articles are published annually related to diamond topics. About 50 magazines in the world specialize in diamonds. Nevertheless, the discovery of primary diamond deposits in Russia (USSR) remained a blind spot in historical research for many decades. This was especially true when the topics concerned specific historical personalities who discovered the first kimberlite pipes. Only thanks to the systematic purposeful work of the state administration and the labour heroism of the Soviet people it was possible to successfully solve such an important task as the discovery and development of primary diamond deposits in Yakutia. Only in the Soviet Union was it possible to allocate huge funds for large-scale prospecting for diamond deposits. The discovery and development of the deposits in Yakutia were largely made possible due to the patriotic brotherhood and friendship of all the peoples of the Soviet Union. The discovery put the last point in the long-standing dispute among diamond geologists about the presence of diamond bearing kimberlites within the Siberian Platform in general and in the basin of the Vilyui River in particular. The article provides an unbiased history of the Zarnitsa Tube discovery based on the latest publications and materials, including the tragic fate of L.A. Popugaeva, its discoverer.

Keywords: diamond, kimberlite, kimberlite pipe, pyrops, Yakutia

For citation: Kuznetsov V.B., Korshunov A.N. The history of the first kimberlite pipe discovery in the USSR. Russian Mining Industry. 2024;(5S):38–43. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2024-5S-38-43

Article info

Received: 01.08.2024

Revised: 16.10.2024

Accepted: 18.10.2024

Information about the authors

Vyacheslav B. Kuznetsov – Cand. Sci. (Hist.), Associate Professor, Chair of Social Sciences and Humanities, MIREA – Russian Technological University, Moscow, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Aleksandr N. Korshunov – Associate Professor, Chair of Social Sciences and Technology, National University of Science and Technology MISIS, Moscow, Russian Federation

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