Photo by: Creamer Media
Diamond miner De Beers, a subsidiary of Anglo American, achieved a 6% year-on-year increase in rough diamond production to 8.2-million carats for the fourth quarter of 2022.
The miner said this reflected a strong operational performance across its assets, but partially offset by the planned completion of the final cut at the Venetia openpit mine, in South Africa.
De Beers' production in South Africa decreased by 27% year-on-year to 900 000 ct, owing to the planned completion of the final cut at Venetia openpit. Mining of the openpit was completed in December and the mine will transition to underground operations this year.
In Botswana, production increased by 11% to 5.8-million carats, primarily driven by strong plant performance, particularly at Jwaneng.
Production in Namibia increased by 51% to 600 000 ct, primarily driven by the continued strong performance from the Benguela Gem vessel and the treatment of higher-grade ore at the land operations.
Production in Canada increased by 7% to 800 000 ct, primarily as a result of the treatment of higher-grade ore.
De Beers has set its production guidance for this year at between 30-million and 33-million carats.