In developing deposit, Alrosa considers the reindeer

Michelle Graff

Moscow–Alrosa is taking special measures to ensure the safety of the wild reindeer that populate the area around what is now the Russian mining company’s largest development project.

The Verkhne-Munskoe deposit is located in the Republic of Sakha in Siberia in far northeastern Russia, which is already home to a number of diamond mines. The kimberlite field there is estimated to contain about 40 million carats of diamonds.

As it develops the deposit, Alrosa said it will take measures to preserve the way of life for indigenous people and maintain the diversity of the local ecosystems, which includes the Leno-olenekskaya tundra’s population of wild reindeer.

The proposed site of construction for the approach road to the Verkhne-Munskoe deposit cuts through an area of “vital activity” for the wild reindeer population.

To ensure the animals’ passage from one pasture to another is as safe as possible, Alrosa said it will make “outstanding arrangements” to introduce special radio collars for the reindeer.

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Source National Jeweler