Since mastering technology, humans have relentlessly exploited nature for profit, digging mines that carved massive, jaw-dropping pits into the Earth’s surface—unintentionally creating artificial labyrinths. Starting from the outer edge and spiraling inward and downward, these “labyrinths” lead to their centers, where treasures lie hidden. To miners and adventurers, these pits are like single-path labyrinths, their trucks or off-road vehicles acting like pens in their hands. Let’s explore these astonishing human creations:
1. Mirny Diamond Mine (Russia)
The world’s largest open-pit diamond mine and the second-largest excavated pit. It’s 525 meters deep and 1,200 meters wide. The giant pit creates air currents strong enough to suck in helicopters, so flying over it is banned!
2. Bingham Canyon Copper Mine (USA)
The world’s deepest and largest open-pit mine, stretching 1,200 meters deep and 4,000 meters wide. Over 18 million tons of copper have been mined here, making it the biggest human-dug hole on Earth.
3. Super Pit Gold Mine (Kalgoorlie, Australia)
This rectangular pit is 3,500 meters long, 1,500 meters wide, and 570 meters deep. Its sheer size makes it visible from space.
4. Diavik Diamond Mine (Canada)
Located on a 20-square-kilometer island, this mine produces 1,500 kg of diamonds yearly. Just 220 km from the Arctic Circle, its surroundings freeze solid in winter.
5. Ekati Diamond Mine (Canada)
Canada’s first combined surface and underground diamond mine. Near the Arctic Circle, its harsh conditions yield exceptionally high-quality diamonds.
6. Grasberg Mine (Indonesia)
The world’s largest gold mine and third-largest copper mine. Opened in 1973, it employs 19,500 workers.
7. Chuquicamata Copper Mine (Chile)
The largest open-pit copper mine globally, reaching 850 meters deep—the second-deepest pit of its kind.
8. Udachnaya Diamond Mine (Russia)
One of the world’s largest diamond mines, located in the Sakha Republic.
These colossal pits, born from human ambition, stand as both engineering marvels and stark reminders of our planet’s exploited resources.
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