Figure 8.26

Ekati diamond mine, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. Canada is the second largest diamond producer in the world, after Russia. The Ekati Diamond Mine is North America’s first commercial diamond mine and one of the largest diamond mines in the world. Open-pit mines such as this one permanently alter the landscape. These pits are about 0.75 km (0.5 mi) across and several hundred feet deep.

(Jason Pineau/All Canada Photos/ Getty Images)