Photo by: Creamer Media
De Beers Group on Tuesday reported that its rough diamond production had decreased by 5% to 8.7-million carats in the third quarter ended September 30, owing to planned volume reductions in Botswana and South Africa.
In Botswana, production declined by 6% to 5.7-million carats owing to the planned processing of lower-grade material at Jwaneng. Production at Orapa remained in line with that of the third quarter of 2017 at 2.6-million carats.
Namibian production was flat at 460 000 ct, while, in South Africa, production decreased 14% to 1.3-million carats. This was as a result of a planned shutdown at Venetia to upgrade its processing plant ahead of the mine’s transition to underground operations.
Meanwhile, in Canada, production increased by 5% to 1.2-million carats, driven by higher grades at the Victor mine.
The joint venture Gahcho Kué’s production was in line with that of the third quarter of 2017.
Further, De Beers’ rough sales volumes were down but rough sales revenues were broadly in line with that of the third quarter of 2017.
De Beers has maintained its full-year production guidance at 34-million to 36-million carats but expects output to be at the higher end of the range.