Sourcing

Rio Tinto’s rough output down 13 percent

SourcingJul 16, 2019

Rio Tinto’s rough output down 13 percent

Mining company Rio Tinto recorded a double-digit drop in its rough diamond production in 2014 as compared with 2013.  

012115_Rio-article.jpg
An underground scoop at the Diavik diamond mine in Canada

London--Mining company Rio Tinto recorded a double-digit drop in its rough diamond production in 2014 as compared with 2013.

The mines in which Rio Tinto owns a full or partial stake produced 13 percent fewer carats of rough diamonds, with output dropping from 16 million carats in 2013 to 13.9 million carats in 2014. 

The Argyle diamond mine in Western Australia, a major source of pink and brown diamonds, experienced the sharpest drop in output in 2014, with carat production falling 19 percent year-over-year to 9.2 million carats. Rio Tinto said this was due to the mine’s transition from open pit to underground and the processing of lower grade ore as underground production ramps up. 

The underground portion of Argyle opened in May 2013.

Meanwhile, production at the Diavik mine in Canada, in which Rio Tinto has a 60 percent stake, was flat in 2014 while mining at the Murowa operation in Zimbabwe (78 percent stake) rose 7 percent. 

Rough diamond production at all of Rio Tinto’s diamond mines fell sharply in the fourth quarter when compared with the year-earlier period. 

At Argyle, rough output was down 43 percent year-over-year due to a maintenance shutdown. 

Production at Diavik also was down significantly, declining 25 percent as improved processing rates allowed the company to get through the stockpiled ore processed in previous quarters.  

Diamond mining at Murowa dropped 4 percent in the fourth quarter. 

On the exploration side, Rio Tinto reported that projects in both India and Canada continued. In India, the company continued drilling on a number of targets and, in Canada, it completed data review and sampling on several targets. 

Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

Suzanne Belperron jewelry
AuctionsNov 26, 2024
Christie’s To Auction Collection of Suzanne Belperron Jewels

It’s one of the most impressive assemblages of the French designer’s pieces ever to come to auction, Christie’s said.

National Jeweler columnist Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsNov 26, 2024
The Smart Lab: 7 Strategies for Refining Your Holiday Email Marketing Campaigns

Successful email marketing campaigns are all about timing, personalization, and compelling CTAs, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

Lisa Bridge and Dr. Wendy Bohrson
MajorsNov 26, 2024
GIA’s Board of Governors Adds 2 New Members

Retail leader Lisa Bridge and geology professor Dr. Wendy Bohrson joined the organization’s board.

Jewelers Mutual Group Cybersecurity
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for Jewelers

From protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.

Ben Bridge Benny Bear
MajorsNov 26, 2024
Ben Bridge Jeweler Unveils This Year’s ‘Benny Bear’

Look out for a black bear wearing a purple Santa hat and its zippered tummy pouch made for holding a holiday gift from Ben Bridge Jeweler.

Weekly QuizNov 26, 2024
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Lusix Lab Grown Diamonds at JCK Las Vegas 2022
Lab-GrownNov 25, 2024
Lab-Grown Co. Lusix Sold to 2 Companies for $4M

Fenix and Dholakia Lab-Grown Diamonds have jointly acquired the Israel-based company, which grows diamonds using solar power.

Sophie Bille Brahe New York Store Interior
IndependentsNov 25, 2024
Sophie Bille Brahe Opens First US Store

The Danish brand has opened an appointment-only location on Madison Avenue in New York City.

Article-Top-Image.jpg
Brought to you by
Enhance Your Expertise with IGI’s In-Person Courses in NYC

This fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.

Original Miami Beach Antique Show sign
Events & AwardsNov 25, 2024
The Original Miami Beach Antique Show Panel to Feature Fred Savage

The actor and watch enthusiast will be part of the show’s education lineup.

CD Peacock Mansion in Oak Brook, Illinois
EditorsNov 22, 2024
Out & About: Inside the CD Peacock Mansion

Step inside the nearly 21,000-square-foot suburban Chicago jewelry store with Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff.

Xander Jane earrings
CollectionsNov 22, 2024
Piece of the Week: Xander Jane’s ‘Spiked’ Pearl Studs

These punk-inspired earrings from the new Canadian brand’s debut collection reveal the alter ego of the classic pearl.

Facets of Fire Pear and Marquise Diamonds
SourcingNov 22, 2024
Facets of Fire Expands to Include Pear, Marquise Diamonds

The company brings its nanotechnology to two new fancy cuts for diamonds that feature its signature color and brilliance.

5 main.jpg
Supplier BulletinNov 21, 2024
Tasha R Releases 2025 Labbelle Lab Diamond Jewelry Catalog

Sponsored by Tasha R

18-karat gold Tiffany & Co. pocket watch Captain Arthur Rostron
AuctionsNov 21, 2024
Gold Watch Gifted to Titanic Rescue Ship Captain Sells for $2M

Three Titanic survivors presented him with the personalized Tiffany & Co. timepiece about a year after the tragedy.

Harris Jewelry storefront
MajorsNov 21, 2024
Harris Jewelry Ordered to Reopen Claims Portal for Refund Requests

A federal court found that the jewelry store chain violated terms of the settlement reached after it was accused of defrauding customers.

Cynthia Erivo wearing Have a Heart x Cynthia Erivo collection
CollectionsNov 21, 2024
Channel Elphaba in Muse’s ‘Have a Heart x Cynthia Erivo’ Collection

Cynthia Erivo chose Dreams of Hope, an organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQA+ youth, as the charity for this year’s collection.

Rocksbox San Francisco store
MajorsNov 21, 2024
Rocksbox Opens Pop-Up Store in San Francisco

The new space was designed to evoke a warm, inviting vibe.

Mary Moses Kinney
IndependentsNov 21, 2024
Mary Moses Kinney Is Now Part of The Edge’s Team

Kinney, who spent nearly 30 years at IJO, has been hired to head Abbott Jewelry Systems’ new virtual marketplace.

Sotheby’s New York building
CrimeNov 20, 2024
Sotheby’s to Pay $6.25M Settlement to NY State for Alleged Tax Fraud

The auction house was accused of helping clients avoid paying taxes on millions of dollars’ worth of art purchased from 2010 to 2020.

Kering logo
Events & AwardsNov 20, 2024
Kering Debuts New Jewelry Award With Sustainability Focus

The four finalists will present their pieces at the 2025 JCK Las Vegas show.

Model wearing pieces from Camera Oscura collection
CollectionsNov 20, 2024
Pamela Love Channels Surrealist Artists in New Collection

The “Camera Oscura” collection showcases earring designs celebrating female Surrealist artists Claude Cahun and Leonor Fini.

Columbia Gem House “Pebbles to Pines” fundraiser
Policies & IssuesNov 20, 2024
Columbia Gem House Raises $10K for Reforestation Efforts

The money will fund the planting of 10,000 trees in critical areas across Oregon, Arizona, Montana, and other regions.

The jewelry symposium 2025
Events & AwardsNov 20, 2024
The Jewelry Symposium Opens Registration, Scholarship Applications

The event centered on advancing jewelry manufacturing technology will return to Detroit in May 2025.

Stock image of police cars with lights on
CrimeNov 19, 2024
Woman Killed in Armed Robbery of Sacramento Jewelry Store

Local reports identified the woman as the wife of the jewelry store owner.

Tsar Ferdinand I Bulgaria colored diamond pin and emerald diamond ring
AuctionsNov 19, 2024
‘A Tsar’s Treasure’ Fetches $2.9M at Sotheby’s Jewelry Sale

A collection of pieces owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family, blew away estimates in Geneva last week.

Trove NYC flagship exterior
MajorsNov 19, 2024
Trove Opens First US Flagship in NYC

The Australian jewelry box brand’s new West Village store will showcase new jewelers each month through its Designer in Residence program.

Snoop Dogg and Carolyn Rafaelian
CollectionsNov 19, 2024
Snoop Dogg’s New Jewelry Collection Is All About Love

“Lovechild” was created in partnership with Carolyn Rafaelian’s Metal Alchemist brand.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy