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Production Report for the Second Quarter of 2023
Production Report for the Second Quarter of 2023
20 Jul 2023

De Beers(1) (000 carats)

Q2 2023

Q2 2022

Q2 2023
vs.
Q2 2022

Q1 2023

Q2 2023
vs.
Q1 2023

H1 2023

H1 2022

H1 2023
vs.
H1 2022

Botswana

5,829

5,521

6%

6,899

(16)%

12,728

11,705

9%

Namibia

612

565

8%

619

(1)%

1,231

1,016

21%

South Africa

466

1,220

(62)%

739

(37)%

1,205

2,916

(59)%

Canada

683

643

6%

673

1%

1,356

1,247

9%

Total carats recovered

7,590

7,949

(5)%

8,930

(15)%

16,520

16,884

2%

Rough diamond production decreased by 5% to 7.6 million carats, due to the planned reduction in South Africa while the Venetia open pit transitions to underground operations, which offset strong performance driven by the planned treatment of higher grade ore at the remaining assets.

In Botswana, production increased by 6% to 5.8 million carats, driven by the planned treatment of higher grade ore at Orapa. This was partly offset by lower throughput at Jwaneng due to planned maintenance.

Namibia production increased by 8% to 0.6 million carats, primarily driven by the ongoing ramp-up and expansion of the mining area at the land operations.

South Africa production decreased by 62% to 0.5 million carats, due to the planned end of Venetia's open pit operations in December 2022. Venetia continues to process lower grade surface stockpiles, which will result in temporary lower production levels as it transitions to underground operations.

Production in Canada increased by 6% to 0.7 million carats, driven by the treatment of higher grade ore despite planned plant maintenance.

Demand for rough diamonds was impacted by the ongoing macro-economic headwinds, with high levels of polished diamond inventory in the midstream. Rough diamond sales totalled 7.6 million carats (6.4 million carats on a consolidated basis)(2) from two Sights, compared with 9.4 million carats (8.3 million carats on a consolidated basis)(2) from three Sights in Q2 2022, and 9.7 million carats (8.9 million carats on a consolidated basis)(2) from three Sights in Q1 2023.

The H1 2023 consolidated average realised price decreased by 23% to $163/ct (H1 2022: $213/ct), primarily due to selling a larger proportion of lower value rough diamonds, as Sightholders took a more cautious approach to planning their 2023 allocation schedule due to the uncertain macro-economic outlook. The average rough price index decreased by 2%, reflecting the overall softening in consumer demand for diamond jewellery and a build-up of inventory in the midstream.

2023 Guidance

Production guidance(1) for 2023 is unchanged at 30–33 million carats (100% basis), subject to trading conditions.

Unit cost guidance for 2023 is revised to c.$75/carat(3) (previously c.$80/carat), reflecting the weaker South African rand.

1 De Beers Group production is on a 100% basis, except for the Gahcho Kué joint operation which is on an attributable 51% basis.
2 Consolidated sales volumes exclude De Beers Group’s JV partners’ 50% proportionate share of sales to entities outside De Beers Group from the Diamond Trading Company Botswana and the Namibia Diamond Trading Company, which are included in total sales volume (100% basis).
3 FX assumption of ~18 ZAR:USD (previously ~17 ZAR:USD).

De Beers(1)

Q2

Q1

Q4

Q3

Q2

Q2 2023 vs. Q2 2022

Q2 2023 vs. Q1 2023

H1

H1

H1 2023 vs. H1 2022

2023

2023

2022

2022

2022

2023

2022

Carats recovered (000 carats)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

100% basis (unless stated)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jwaneng

2,955

3,782

3,126

3,567

3,120

(5) %

(22)  %

6,737

6,752

0  %

Orapa(2)

2,874

3,117

2,664

3,080

2,401

20   %

(8) %

5,991

4,953

21   %

Total Botswana

5,829

6,899

5,790

6,647

5,521

6  %

(16) %

12,728

11,705

9  %

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debmarine Namibia

503

498

439

423

488

3  %

1  %

1,001

863

16   %

Namdeb (land operations)

109

121

151

108

77

42   %

(10)  %

230

153

50   %

Total Namibia

612

619

590

531

565

8  %

(1) %

1,231

1,016

21  %

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Venetia

466

739

948

1,651

1,220

(62)  %

(37)  %

1,205

2,916

(59)  %

Total South Africa

466

739

948

1,651

1,220

(62) %

(37) %

1,205

2,916

(59) %

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gahcho Kué (51% basis)

683

673

827

741

643

6  %

1  %

1,356

1,247

9  %

Total Canada

683

673

827

741

643

6  %

1  %

1,356

1,247

9  %

Total carats recovered

7,590

8,930

8,155

9,570

7,949

(5) %

(15) %

16,520

16,884

(2) %

Sales volumes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total sales volume (100%) (Mct)(3)

7.6

9.7

7.3

9.1

9.4

(19)  %

(22)  %

17.3

17.3

0  %

Consolidated sales volume (Mct)(3)

6.4

8.9

6.6

8.5

8.3

(23)  %

(28)  %

15.3

15.3

0  %

Number of Sights (sales cycles)

2

3

2

3

3

 

 

5

5

 

 

1 De Beers Group production is on a 100% basis, except for the Gahcho Kué joint operation which is on an attributable 51% 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% proportionate share of sales to entities outside De Beers Group from the Diamond Trading Company Botswana and the Namibia Diamond Trading Company, which are included in total sales volume (100% basis).