TheVilyuy (Russian:Вилю́й,IPA:[vʲɪˈlʲʉj];Yakut:Бүлүү,Bülüü,[bylyː])[citation needed] is a river inRussia, the longest tributary of theLena. About 2,650 kilometres (1,650 mi) long, it flows mostly within theSakha Republic. Its basin covers about 454,000 square kilometres (175,000 sq mi).[1]
In the 1950s,diamond deposits were discovered in the area, about 700 kilometres (430 mi) from its mouth. This led to the construction of theMir Mine, together with access roads and an airport, and theVilyuy Dam complex to generate power needed for the diamond concentrators.[2]
Vilyuy is associated with geological formations Yakutsk-Vilyuy Rift (Vilyuy Rift Basin) and Yakutsk-Vilyuy LIP (large igneous province), also known as Vilyuy Traps.[4]
