Mining giant De Beers has published its rough diamond production for Q4 2017, and performance for the full year. In the fourth quarter, production increased 5% to 8.1 million carats, “reflecting stronger trading conditions as well as the contribution from the ramp-up of Gahcho Kué in Canada”, according to a press release.
Consolidated rough diamond sales in volume during the quarter were 7.5 million carats, unchanged from the year before. Total sales volumes were 8.2 million carats, slightly higher year-on-year.
For the full year, comparable sales volumes totaled 33.1 million carats, compared to 30 Million carats in 2016. Total sales volumes were 35.1 million carats, compared to 32 million carats in 2016. However, price per carat dropped 13% to $162 per carat in 2017.
In Botswana, production increased marginally to 5.5 million carats. In Namibia, production increased to 14% to 488,000 carats. In South Africa, production fell 17% to 1.1 million carats. In Canada, production doubled to 993,000 carats due to the ramp-up of Gahcho Kué.
