Diamond Drop
Introduction
One of the many legal runs that you can do on the island of Altis is diamond mining. Diamonds are a mineral that is found in the ground and can be processed into and sold as cut gems. This is a good “mid-game” run as its payout is the fourth-highest of all the legal runs and enough for medium to large scale operations that can be increased with possession of a Worker’s Protection License.
Starting the Run
Before you begin, it is a good idea to check the market value of diamonds using the market tab on your “Y” menu to make sure nobody has sold diamonds recently to maximize your profits. It is also recommended to stop by the DMV and purchase a “diamonds processing license” as it is a prerequisite for processing the minerals into gems for sale. It is also necessary to take a pickaxe, which can be purchased at any market or gas station, as well as 3 items of food and water to sustain yourself for the duration of the run. Once you are ready you will make your way to the truck shop that can be found just east of Pygros and begin to head directly north to the diamond mines. The mine itself is shielded by a hill and lots of foliage that will both protect your presence from being discovered and will make for very useful cover if you come under attack from rebels. You will be able to begin harvesting once you are near the icon that is displayed on the map by using your windows key to harvest. Moving around while harvesting will increase pick-up speed and just might throw off any would-be sharpshooters. Fortunately, there is a bonus for processing that will incrementally give you faster progress as you process more diamonds if you possess a Worker’s Protection License. You may also choose to process an entire vehicle full of raw materials into processed items. Players can select to process from a selected vehicle but multiple players may not process from the same vehicle. The time taken to process the inventory of the vehicle will be displayed and canceling processing will process all items up until the point of cancellation. Buffs gained from processing will also apply to the rate at which the vehicle is processed as well.
Processing
Once you arrive at the processor you will see as you approach the terrain is very poor for concealing your presence as anyone can see into the hanger and see you. You will want to use the shipping containers and nearby industrial equipment in order to conceal your presence from anybody approaching. You can process diamonds by filling your inventory with the unprocessed product and using your scroll wheel to activate the menu on the processing machinery. You will be extremely vulnerable while you are processing so keep your wits about yourself and keep aware of your surroundings as not to fall prey to rebels looking for a payday. Fortunately, there is a bonus for processing that will incrementally give you faster progress as you process more diamonds if you possess a Worker’s Protection License.
Selling
Once you are done processing you will proceed directly east to the town of Paros where you will find the trader in a block of shops on the northwest side of town. You will be covered by the nearby buildings as you sell but still do so as quickly as possible. After you have your payout, you can make your way directly south to the ATM that lies in the center of town.
Payout
Using a box truck with no storage upgrades and a bergen backpack (210 cut diamonds) will yield a payout of $444,780 (WPL: $511,497)
Run Time
Using a box truck with no storage upgrades, bergen backpack, and Tier-4 turbo this run will take 28 minutes and 30 seconds With a workers protection license to increase processing, it will take 23-25 minutes.