https://www.miningweekly.com
Gem Diamonds|Lesotho|Letšeng Mine|Diamond Mining
|||
gem-diamonds|lesotho|leteng-mine|diamond-mining

Gem Diamonds reports lower sales volumes, but higher prices for the first quarter

20th May 2026

By: Lumkile Nkomfe

Creamer Media Online Writer

     

Font size: - +

Diamond miner Gem Diamonds recorded revenue of $32.1-million for the quarter ended March 31, supported by the sale of large, high-value diamonds recovered at its Letšeng mine, in Lesotho.

During the quarter, production was primarily sourced from the lower-grade, lower-value main pipe, with a lower contribution from the higher-grade, higher-value satellite pipe, in accordance with the Letšeng mine plan.

The highest price achieved during this quarter was $32 908/ct for a 52.24 ct white diamond.

Further, four diamonds sold for more than $1-million each, generating aggregate revenue of $9.9-million.

Two diamonds, weighing over 100 ct each – a 100.71 ct Type One faint yellow diamond and a 191.82 ct white diamond – were recovered in the March quarter. These will be sold in the quarter to June 30.

Waste stripping increased strongly to 70 943 t from 48 304 t in the fourth quarter of 2025, but the ore tonnes treated declined slightly to 1.33-million tonnes, from 1.37-million tonnes in the previous quarter.

Carats sold decreased to 16 727 ct and the total sales value declined by 8% to $25.1-million, reflecting weaker volumes despite a stronger pricing environment, with average realised prices having been 17% higher year-on-year at $1 501/ct.

In addition to the initial exports of 16 727 ct, another parcel comprising ten diamonds each weighing more than 10.8 ct and totalling 363 ct, was sold during the March quarter, generating revenue of $7-million.

All operational and financial metrics, including carats sold, are on track to meet the 2026 full-year guidance, the company notes.

Edited by Chanel de Bruyn
Creamer Media Online Managing Editor

Article Enquiry

Email Article

Save Article

Feedback

To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here

Showroom

ALBIS FLANGES (Pty) Ltd
ALBIS FLANGES (Pty) Ltd

ALBIS FLANGES — founded in 1965 — is a petro-chemical approved manufacturer of flanges and fittings in most grades of steel, listed with Sasol,...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Hanna Instruments (Pty) Ltd
Hanna Instruments (Pty) Ltd

We supply customers with practical affordable solutions for their testing needs. Our products include benchtop, portable, in-line process control...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

On-The-Air (09/10/2026)
On-The-Air (09/10/2026)
9th October 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

➕

➕

➕

➕

➕

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

➕

➕

➕

➕

➕

➕

➕

➕

➕

➕

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION

➕

➕







sq:0.042 0.063s - 114pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now