Aykhal (; , Ayxal) is an urban locality (an urban-type settlement) in Mirninsky District of the Sakha Republic, Russia, located from Mirny, the administrative center of the district,Registry of the Administrative-Territorial Divisions of the Sakha Republic in the basin of the Vilyuy River. As of the 2010 Census, its population was 13,727.
Etymology The name derives from the Yakut word for fame.
Geography Sokhsolookh stream is located in the Aykhal's vicinity. The name of the stream in the Yakut language means the river of death or the river of traps, in reference to a large number of reindeer who, according to local legend, have drowned while trying to cross the river ice.
Climate
History It was founded in 1961 with the beginnings of diamond extraction from the kimberlite pipe found here. It was granted urban-type settlement status in the following year. In 1985, Yubileynaya diamond mine was opened from Aykhal.
Administrative and municipal status Within the framework of administrative divisions, the urban-type settlement of Aykhal,According to Article 7 of the Law #77-I, lower-level administrative divisions with the status of a settlement have their administrative centers in an inhabited locality with the status of an urban-type settlement. According to the Registry of the Administrative-Territorial Divisions of the Sakha Republic, Aykhal is the administrative center of the Settlement of Aykhal. together with one rural locality (the selo of Morkoka), is incorporated within Mirninsky District as the Settlement of Aykhal. As a municipal division, the Settlement of Aykhal is incorporated within Mirninsky Municipal District as Aykhal Urban Settlement.Law #173-Z 353-III
Economy and infrastructure The local economy is reliant on diamond mining conducted by ALROSA at its Aykhal and Yubileynaya mines. It is served by the Aykhal Airport.
References Notes
Sources Official website of the Sakha Republic. Registry of the Administrative-Territorial Divisions of the Sakha Republic. Mirninsky District.