How large is the Ammolite Mine?

Korite mines a surface area of approximately five acres each year to a depth of between fifteen meters (forty-five feet) and twenty-five meters (eighty feet) below surface. The Ammolite gem layer is currently reached inside this range of depth.

How deep do you have to dig to find Ammolite?

Korite’s Ammolite gems are mined from depths of 15 meters (45 feet) or deeper. It is at this depth that the most brilliant and vividly colored gems are found. In order to reach this depth, Korite removes 368,000 cubic meters (13 million cubic feet) weighing 200,000 tons. From this effort, 25 kilograms (55 pounds) of finished Ammolite gems are produced for an average of 0.6 carats per ton of earth moved.

How rare is Ammolite?

To put Ammolite rarity into perspective, the average Diamond mine produces 1.5 carats per ton of earth moved. Ammolite mining produces an average of 0.6 carats per ton of earth moved.

Where is the Ammolite Mine?

The Ammolite Mine is at the footstep of the Rocky Mountains near Lethbridge in Southern Alberta, Canada.

Do you ever find anything other than Ammolite?

On rare occasions, fossil Ammonites of museum quality are uncovered at the Korite mine. These specimens are highly valued and much sought after for their unique brilliance and full-spectrum Ammolite coloration. Each Ammonite is recorded in a government registry and assigned an export permit number. With this registration, Korite is authorized by the government of Canada to offer it's Ammonite specimens to museums, institutions and private collections.

In 25 years of Ammolite mining, Korite has discovered four ultra-rare marine reptile dinosaurs. Three Mosasaurs and one Pleisiosaur have been unearthed. In every case of a dinosaur discovery, Korite immediately notifies government officials working with the Tyrell museum of Paleontology in Drumheller to initiate the excavation of these remarkable finds. In all cases, Korite makes available it’s mining equipment, expertise and assistance throughout the dinosaur excavation process.

What impact does Ammolite mining have on the environment?

The Korite "Leave No Trace" land reclamation program minimizes negative environmental impact caused by mining. Working closely with government Fish and Wildlife officials, Korite preserves the landscape and engages in habitat improvement to ensure native flora and fauna are protected. Once the original shale, gravel and sand are replaced in the specific naturally occurring sequence, native grasses are used to re-seed the area to completely restore the short grass prairie ecosystem. To see the result of this program, view this QTVR panoramic movie of our reclaimed Oxbow mine site.

Do you mine year round?

Weather permitting, Korite mines Ammolite on a year-round basis. Occasionally, severe weather conditions such as extreme cold or thunder storms will temporarily prevent Korite Ammolite mining due to safety concerns for mining personnel.

How do you mine Ammolite?

Korite mines Ammolite with heavy machinery. Backhoes, dump trucks and other specialized ground moving equipment is used to reach the Ammolite gem layer. Highly specialized Ammolite mining analysts are trained to “spot” the Ammolite gem layer. Once the Ammolite gem layer is located, the Ammolite gems are carefully uncovered and removed by mining personnel using hand held tools.

Do you sell raw Ammolite that I can polish?

Due to the rarity of the Ammolite gemstone, Korite uses all of the Ammolite gems recovered from the mining process for its own jewellery manufacturing. Rough Ammolite is not available.

Do you have any pictures of the mine that I can use for my project?

Please contact Korite for authorization to use Korite mining pictures for your project.

Can members of the public visit the Ammolite mine?

Due to the dangerous nature of Ammolite mining and its associated liability issues, the public is unfortunately not allowed to visit the Ammolite mine.