SourcingApr 21, 2022
De Beers Slated to Begin Diamond Exploration in AngolaSourcingApr 25, 2022
Q1 Diamond Production Up 25% for De Beers
Rio Tinto, meanwhile, saw production slip due in part to COVID-related employee absences.
An aerial view of Rio Tinto’s Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories. Rio Tinto saw first-quarter production decline 2 percent due in part to COVID-19 complications, while De Beers Group’s production rose 25 percent.
New York—De Beers Group recorded a double-digit increase in diamond production to start the year, while COVID-19 complications hampered operations at Rio Tinto’s only remaining diamond mine.
First-quarter production for De Beers totaled 8.9 million carats, up 25 percent from Q1 2021 (7.2 million carats) and 16 percent when compared with the previous quarter (Q4 2021, at 7.7 million carats).
South Africa, where De Beers has just one mine now, Venetia, posted the highest year-over-year production increase at 46 percent due to treatment of higher-grade ore from the final cut of the open pit.
Production in Namibia was up 33 percent primarily due to higher recovery from Namdeb’s ocean crawler vessels, with less planned maintenance on the Mafuta and the new diamond recovery vessel, the $420 million Benguela Gem, rolling out earlier than expected.
Production in Botswana, where De Beers operates with the government as Debswana, rose 25 percent from increased processing at Orapa and Jwaneng, as well as planned higher grades.
Related stories will be right here …
First-quarter production for De Beers totaled 8.9 million carats, up 25 percent from Q1 2021 (7.2 million carats) and 16 percent when compared with the previous quarter (Q4 2021, at 7.7 million carats).
South Africa, where De Beers has just one mine now, Venetia, posted the highest year-over-year production increase at 46 percent due to treatment of higher-grade ore from the final cut of the open pit.
Production in Namibia was up 33 percent primarily due to higher recovery from Namdeb’s ocean crawler vessels, with less planned maintenance on the Mafuta and the new diamond recovery vessel, the $420 million Benguela Gem, rolling out earlier than expected.
Production in Botswana, where De Beers operates with the government as Debswana, rose 25 percent from increased processing at Orapa and Jwaneng, as well as planned higher grades.
The only country to record a decline in first-quarter diamond production for De Beers was Canada.
Production at the company’s only mine there, Gahcho Kué, fell 15 percent as a result of treating lower-grade ore.
In the release for its Q1 production results, De Beers shared the same sentiment it did when reporting its most recent rough diamond sales.
Demand for rough diamonds has remained robust in 2022, it said, but current events, including the war in Ukraine and recent COVID-19 outbreaks in China, have diamond companies on alert going into Q2.
“As we head into the seasonally slower second quarter of the year, diamond businesses are adopting a more cautious and watchful approach in light of the war in Ukraine and associated sanctions, as well as the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns in China,” De Beers said.
The company’s production guidance for the year remains unchanged at 30-33 million carats.
For Rio Tinto, which owns and operates the Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada, issues around COVID-19 hampered first-quarter production.
The miner recovered 991,000 carats at Diavik, down 1.6 percent when compared with the first quarter 2021 (1 million carats) and 14 percent from the previous quarter (Q4 2021, 1.2 million carats).
Rio Tinto said COVID-related employee absences and an unplanned outage that impacted processing affected its first-quarter results.
Despite the slow start, the miner’s guidance still calls for Diavik’s production to top last year’s, totaling between 5-6 million carats, compared with 3.8 million carats in 2021.
Diavik is Rio Tinto’s only active diamond mine. It took 100 percent ownership of the mine in November 2021.
The miner recovered 991,000 carats at Diavik, down 1.6 percent when compared with the first quarter 2021 (1 million carats) and 14 percent from the previous quarter (Q4 2021, 1.2 million carats).
Rio Tinto said COVID-related employee absences and an unplanned outage that impacted processing affected its first-quarter results.
Despite the slow start, the miner’s guidance still calls for Diavik’s production to top last year’s, totaling between 5-6 million carats, compared with 3.8 million carats in 2021.
Diavik is Rio Tinto’s only active diamond mine. It took 100 percent ownership of the mine in November 2021.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
EditorsNov 15, 2024
Why Fine Jewelry Belongs at New York Comic ConSenior Editor Lenore Fedow makes the case for why more jewelers should be appealing to nerds at the annual event.
CollectionsNov 15, 2024
Marie Lichtenberg Battles Counterfeits with New ‘Raiz’in Scapular’ DesignsThe latest “Raiz’in” drop showcases a newly designed “Scapular” necklace and donates a portion of the proceeds to Make-A-Wish France.
WatchesNov 15, 2024
Piece of the Week: Citizen’s Commemorative Pocket WatchNo. 1 out of 100, the timepiece was created to mark Citizen’s 100th anniversary and will be auctioned off at Sotheby’s next month.
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
Recorded WebinarsNov 15, 2024
Watch: 10 Tips to Keep Your Jewelry Store Secure On the latest episode of “My Next Question,” two experts share best practices for store security during the holidays and year-round.
Weekly QuizNov 14, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsNov 14, 2024
18th-Century Diamond Necklace Sells for Nearly $5M Sotheby’s sold the necklace, which potentially has ties to Marie-Antoinette, for $4.8 million to a woman bidding via phone.
MajorsNov 14, 2024
Saks Fifth Avenue Cancels Holiday Light DisplayInstead of its usual elaborate display, the store will illuminate its façade and frame the windows to highlight its flagship’s architecture.
Brought to you by
Enhance Your Expertise with IGI’s In-Person Courses in NYCThis fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.
WatchesNov 14, 2024
Grand Seiko Partners With Ben Bridge on First Hawaii Store The new Grand Seiko boutique is located in Honolulu’s Waikiki neighborhood.
AuctionsNov 13, 2024
Aga Khan Emerald Sells for $8.8M, Sets RecordThe emerald brooch-turned-pendant returned to auction after 55 years, setting a world record for most expensive emerald sold at auction.
AuctionsNov 13, 2024
‘Exceptional’ Burmese Ruby Ring Tops $5M at Auction Phillips also sold a 1.21-carat fancy red diamond dubbed the “Red Miracle” for more than $1 million at its jewelry auction in Geneva.
MajorsNov 13, 2024
Ariana Grande, Anya Taylor-Joy Star in Holiday Jewelry CampaignsFrom Swarovski to Tiffany & Co., jewelry retailers are enlisting celebrities to highlight their holiday offerings.
MajorsNov 13, 2024
Royal Chain’s New Catalog Is Out NowThe 2024-2025 book introduces hundreds of new designs.
FinancialsNov 12, 2024
Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels Continue to Shine for Richemont Richemont’s jewelry sales ticked up 2 percent in the first half of the year, while watch sales plummeted 17 percent.
GradingNov 12, 2024
GIA’s Next-Day Services Return for the HolidaysOffered by the lab since 2016, the holiday season special is good from now through mid-December.
CollectionsNov 12, 2024
Mikimoto and Chrome Hearts Blend Aesthetics in New CollaborationThe “Mikimoto Chrome Hearts” jewelry brings pearls from Mikimoto together with distinctive motifs from Chrome Hearts.
CollectionsNov 08, 2024
Piece of the Week: Larkspur & Hawk’s ‘Tapestry Lily’ Earrings These earrings use flat-backed white quartz to create a window onto an antique ribbon embroidered with a floral design.
Events & AwardsNov 08, 2024
AGTA Reveals Spectrum, Cutting Edge Award Winners for 2024This year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards included a new category for engagement rings and a new award highlighting female designers.
FinancialsNov 08, 2024
Brilliant Earth’s Q3 Sales Fall 13%Plus, CEO Beth Gerstein shares her insight on the holiday season and the possibility of new tariffs.
TrendsNov 07, 2024
Amanda’s Style File: Golden and Blue November HuesThe month’s birthstones, citrine and blue topaz, reflect the changing colors of the season.
CollectionsNov 07, 2024
Sidney Garber Collaborates With Carey Lowell on Capsule CollectionThe “Carey Lowell x Sidney Garber” collection stems from the friendship between the jewelry designer and ceramicist.
MajorsNov 07, 2024
Ritani Debuts ‘No-Fuss’ Holiday TV CampaignThe two ads highlight diamond engagement rings and diamond studs with a straightforward approach.
Policies & IssuesNov 07, 2024
Diamonds Do Good To Distribute $250K+ In Grants Next YearIn 2025, the nonprofit plans to continue its support of longstanding partners while also allocating some funds to a new initiative.
AuctionsNov 06, 2024
Two Rolexes With Ties to Titanic Head to AuctionThe Rolex watches are from the collection of “Titanic” co-producer Alfred “Al” Giddings and will go up for sale at Sotheby’s next month.
FinancialsNov 06, 2024
Pandora Posts Double-Digit Revenue Growth in Q3The Danish jewelry company plans to open up to 150 concept stores this fiscal year.
GradingNov 06, 2024
GIA to Close Lab in Ramat Gan, IsraelThe location will close by the end of the year due to it being financially unsustainable, GIA said.
MajorsNov 06, 2024
David Yurman’s Holiday Campaign Celebrates ‘Moments of Joy’The new campaign stars Sterling K. Brown, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Winnie Harlow, Kyle Kuzma, Arizona Muse, and Iris Law.
