By: Creamer media

The miner's operations in Botswana achieved a 51% year-on-year increase in diamond output to six-million carats for the third quarter. 

During the quarter under review, De Beers processed higher-grade ore at Jwaneng, ahead of plant maintenance that is scheduled for the fourth quarter. The Orapa mine, meanwhile, resumed operations in the third quarter following planned plant maintenance in the second quarter of this year.

De Beers' South African operations, meanwhile, achieved a 28% year-on-year increase in production to 700 000 ct for the third quarter, reflecting the processing of increased volumes of higher-grade underground ore.

Production in Namibia was, however, flat at 500 000 ct, while production in Canada decreased by 15% year-on-year to 500 000 ct owing to the planned treatment of lower-grade ore.

De Beers states that rough diamond trading conditions remained challenging in the third quarter.

"The improvement in rough diamond demand seen during the first half of 2025 was undermined by new US tariffs on diamond imports from India. India remains the main cutting centre for natural diamonds and the US remains the largest end-market for diamond jewellery.

"There was a positive development in September, when the US included natural diamonds to its Tariff Annex III list, making them eligible for tariff exemptions for countries with trade agreements. The EU has subsequently secured these exemptions and the industry awaits the outcome of potential agreements with other countries. Consumer demand for natural diamond jewellery remained stable in the US and broadly stable globally," the diamond miner points out.

During the third quarter, De Beers sold 5.7-million carats of rough diamonds across two sights for revenue of $700-million.

Production guidance for the full-year remains at 20-million to 23-million carats.