Portal:Western Australia/Selected article/November 2007

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The Argyle diamond mine is a diamond mine located in the north-east of Western Australia and was commissioned in December 1985. The Argyle mine is the largest diamond producer in the world by volume, although due to the low proportion of gem-quality diamonds, is not the leader by value. It is the only known significant source of pink diamonds, producing 90 to 95% of the world's supply. The Argyle diamond mine is also notable for being the first commercial diamond mine exploiting a volcanic pipe of lamproite, rather than the more usual kimberlite pipe. The mine is 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.