This is a general view of a deep pit in Siberian permafrost dug near the town of Mirny in June 1998 Diamond miners work in a deep pit in the Siberian permafrost dug after diamonds were discovered in the Russian Arctic in the 1950s Russias diamond producers are angling for a larger role in the global diamond trade now that the De Beers cartel is loosening its grip on the lucrative business AP PhotoRIA Photo News
