Premier Mine
The Premier Mine is an underground diamond mine owned by Petra Diamonds in the town of Cullinan, 40 kilometres (25 mi) east of Pretoria, Gauteng Province, South Africa. Established in 1902, it was renamed the Cullinan Diamond Mine in November 2003 in celebration of its centenary. The mine is a carrot-shaped volcanic pipe and has a surface area of 32 hectares (79 acres). The mine rose to prominence in 1905, when the Cullinan Diamond – the largest rough diamond of gem quality ever found – was discovered there.
The open pit, 2011 | |
| Location | |
|---|---|
Premier Mine Location of mine within South Africa | |
| Location | Cullinan |
| Province | Gauteng |
| Country | South Africa |
| Coordinates | 25°40′21″S 28°30′45″E |
| Production | |
| Products | Diamonds |
| Type | Underground |
| History | |
| Opened | 1902 |
| Owner | |
| Company | Petra Diamonds Cullinan Consortium |
The mine has produced over 750 stones that are greater than 100 carats (20 g) and more than a quarter of all the world's diamonds that are greater than 400 carats (80 g). It is also the only significant source of blue diamonds in the world.