Namibia produced 2,137 million rough diamonds last year according to latest figures released by De Beers, a 46% increase from 1.467 million carats last year.
The surge in the country’s production was attributed to the coming into operation of the N$7-billion diamond recovery vessel, Benguela Gem, which was inaugurated in March last year and the treatment of higher grade ore at the land operations.
In the period under review, Debmarine Namibia’s production for 2022 increased by 52% to 1,725 million carats from 1,137 million carats in 2021.
Namdeb’s production also increased by 25% to 412 000 carats from 330,000 carats the previous year, while in Q4 it recorded 144% surge in production.
De Beers’ total output for the full year of 2022 was 34.6m carats, a 7% increase from 32.3 million carats in 2021, slightly above its production guidance of 32 million to 34 million carats.
The miner said its 2023 production guidance is 30 million to 33 million carats at an average production cost of US$80 per carat.
The consolidated average realized price per carat during 2022 was US$197, up 35% on 2021, according to the Anglo American Production Report Q4 2022.
De Beers’ mines in Botswana accounted for well over half of total production, increasing year-on-year by 11% to 5.8 million carats.
The increase was mostly driven by strong plant performance at Jwaneng.
South Africa production decreased by 27% to 0.9 million carats, as it transitions from open pit to underground production.
