Alrosa has won a tender issued by Rosnedra (Russia's state regulator of natural resources) to develop three new diamond deposits in the Yakutia state, the company announced last week.

The sites covered by the license include the Ruchey Gusiny and Ebelyakh alluvial deposits and the Dalnyaya kimberlite pipe. The total diamond reserves at these locations are estimated at 42 million carats with an average per-carat value of $70.

Since the deposits are located within Alrosa's existing production facilities, development will not require significant capital outlay, the company noted.

Alrosa spent the equivalent of $78.2 million to acquire the license, which came from the company's existing cash flow.