Namibia has recorded a 33% increase in diamond production for the third quarter of 2022 (Q3) having produced 531,000 carats of diamonds from 399,000 the previous year, latest figures shared by global mining giant Anglo American show.
The increase in the country’s production was further bolstered by the coming into operation of the N$7-billion diamond recovery vessel, Benguela Gem, which was inaugurated in March this year.
“Namibia production increased by 33% to 0.5 million carats, primarily driven by continued strong performance from the Benguela Gem vessel,” said the global mining company.
This comes as Namibia’s diamond production increased by 67% to 565,000 carats in Q2 up from 338,000 carats recorded in the same period prior year.
Of the country’s Q3 production, Anglo’s diamond marine operations through Debmarine produced 423,000 carats, a decrease from 488,000 produced in Q2, while production from its land-based operations at Namdeb came in at 108,000, an increase from 77,000 carats produced in Q2.
Year-to-date the country through Debmarine and Namdeb has produced 1,547,000 carats of diamonds, a 44% increase from 1,075,000 produced the same period last year.
Debmarine’s production according to Anglo’s data is up 59% year-to-date with 1,286,000 carats, while Namdeb’s production is down 3% at 261,000 carats.
Anglo’s total rough diamond production for the period under review increased by 4% to 9.6 million carats, primarily due to the treatment of higher grade ore at both Orapa in Botswana and in South Africa, and continued strong performance in Namibia.
South Africa’s production increased by 5% to 1.7 million carats, driven by the treatment of higher grade ore and the benefit of plant upgrades.
Anglo’s production in Canada decreased by 7% to 0.7 million carats, due to the treatment of lower grade ore and the impact of tight labour markets.
“Production guidance for 2022 is unchanged at 32-34 million carats (100% basis), subject to trading conditions and the extent of further Covid-19 related disruptions. In line with normal seasonal trends, we anticipate that sales in the final quarter of the year will be affected by the normal temporary closure of cutting and polishing factories for the religious holidays in India,” the global mining giant said.
Namibia’s rough diamonds are exported to Botswana, where the aggregated stock is sold from the De Beers Global Sales office that facilitates the sale for stock mined in Namibia, South Africa and Botswana primarily.
Rough diamond sales for De Beers Group slowed down in September, with sales to sight holders and auction customers totaling US$500 million.
