Rough diamond production decreased by eight per cent to 7.9 million carats driven by a reduction in South Africa (DBCM).
Botswana (Debswana) production increased by two per cent to 6.0 million carats. This was driven by Jwaneng production increasing as planned by 12 per cent to 3.3 million. Orapa2 production decreased by seven per cent as a result of a plant shut down in the period.
Namibia (Namdeb Holdings) production reduced by nine per cent to 0.5 million carats. This was driven by the land operation transitioning Elizabeth Bay to care and maintenance. Debmarine Namibia production was in line with Q1 2018 at 0.4 million carats.
South Africa (DBCM) production reduced by 65 per cent to 0.4 million carats due to lower mined volumes at Venetia as it approaches the transition from open pit to underground. Voorspoed was placed onto care and maintenance in Q4 2018 in preparation for closure.
Canada production reduced by three per cent to 1.0 million carats due to planned lower grades at Gahcho Kué.
Rough diamond sales volumes were 7.5 million carats (7.2 million carats on a consolidated basis3) from two sales cycles compared with 8.8 million carats (8.4 million carats on a consolidated basis3) from the same number of sales cycles in Q1 2018 as overall demand for low value rough diamonds remained subdued in the quarter.
Full Year Guidance
Production guidance1 is unchanged at 31 – 33 million carats, subject to trading conditions.
1 De Beers Group production is on a 100 per cent basis, except for the Gahcho Kué joint venture which is on an attributable 51 per cent basis.
2 Orapa constitutes the Orapa Regime which includes Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa.
3 Consolidated sales volumes exclude De Beers Group’s JV partners’ 50 per cent proportionate share of sales to entities outside De Beers Group from Diamond Trading Company Botswana and the Namibia Diamond Trading Company, which are included in total sales volume (100 per cent basis).