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Operational and financial metrics⁽¹⁾

 

 

⁽¹⁾ Prepared on a consolidated accounting basis, except for production, which is stated on a 100% basis except for the Gahcho Kué joint operation in Canada, which is on an attributable 51% basis.

⁽²⁾ Total sales volumes on a 100% basis were 12.3 million carats (30 June 2024: 12.7 million carats). Total sales volumes (100%) include De Beers Group’s joint arrangement partners’ 50% proportionate share of sales to entities outside De Beers Group from Diamond Trading Company Botswana and Namibia Diamond Trading Company.

⁽³⁾ Pricing for the mining businesses is based on 100% selling value post-aggregation of goods. Realised price includes the price impact of the sale of non-equity product and, as a result, is not directly comparable to the unit cost.

⁽⁴⁾ Unit cost is based on consolidated production and operating costs, excluding depreciation and operating special items, divided by carats recovered.

⁽⁵⁾  Includes rough diamond sales of $1.7billion (30 June 2024: $2.0 billion).

⁽⁶⁾ EBITDA margin on a total reported basis. On an equity basis, and excluding the impact of non-mining activities, third‑party sales, purchases, trading, brands and diamond desirability, and corporate, the adjusted EBITDA margin is 45% (30 June 2024: 40%).

⁽⁷⁾ Other includes Element Six, brands and diamond desirability, and Corporate.

Markets

Rough diamond trading conditions remained challenging in the first half of 2025 as both the diamond midstream and downstream adopted a cautious approach to restocking amid broader market uncertainty, coupled with continued surplus polished inventory in the midstream.

While a stabilisation of polished diamond prices in the first quarter of the year temporarily supported an improvement in industry sentiment, polished trading slowed again in the second quarter amid increased uncertainty surrounding US tariffs announced in April.

Although wholesale rough and polished diamond trading conditions remained difficult, consumer demand for diamond jewellery was broadly stable in the first half of the year. Demand in the US held steady year-to-date, though the full impact of the tariffs has yet to be seen. In India, leading retailers reported double-digit growth in the first quarter of the year. Meanwhile, the rate of decline in China appears to be slowing, while demand in Japan and the Gulf remains robust.

Operational performance

Mining

Rough diamond production reduced by 23% to 10.2 million carats (30 June 2024: 13.3 million carats), reflecting a proactive production response to the prolonged period of lower demand and higher than normal levels of inventory in the midstream.

In Botswana, production was reduced by 26% to 7.2 million carats (30 June 2024: 9.7 million carats), as a result of planned actions to lower production at Jwaneng and Orapa, as well as extended maintenance at Orapa⁽¹⁾ and putting the Letlhakane Tailings Treatment Plant on care and maintenance as part of the planned production response.

Production in Namibia was flat at 1.2 million carats (30 June 2024: 1.2 million carats), as planned actions to lower production at Debmarine Namibia were offset by planned higher grade mining and better recoveries at Namdeb.

In South Africa, production was flat at 1.1 million carats (30 June 2024: 1.1 million carats). The output from the Venetia underground project remains much lower than during the prior open-pit operations, with the capital spend being rephased as part of De Beers' cash preservation initiatives. Production is expected to increase over the next few years as the underground project continues its ramp-up in line with the recently reconfigured plan.

Production in Canada decreased by 43% to 0.8 million carats (30 June 2024: 1.3 million carats) due to the planned treatment of lower grade ore.

Financial performance

Challenging rough diamond trading conditions persisted through the first half of 2025 with total revenue declining to $2.0 billion (30 June 2024: $2.2 billion). This was driven by a 13% reduction in rough diamond sales to $1.7 billion (30 June 2024: $2.0 billion), reflecting the subdued demand and lower realised price.

The H1 2025 consolidated average realised price decreased by 5% to $155 per carat, reflecting the impact of a 14% decrease in the average rough price index, partially offset by stronger demand for higher-value stones impacting the sales mix in Q2 2025.

Whilst the business generated positive cashflow, the consequential impact of the declining price index and the impact of stock rebalancing initiatives with specific assortments being sold at lower margins, resulted in an underlying EBITDA loss of $189 million (H1 2024: income of $300 million). Further, H1 2024 benefitted from the one-off sale of a non-diamond royalty right of $127 million. Unit costs of $87/ct (30 June 2024: $85/ct) were broadly flat, as the impact of lower rough diamond production volumes were offset by cost reduction initiatives across the operations, a temporary mine sequencing benefit at Venetia and lower in-port maintenance costs at Debmarine Namibia due to timing.

Capital expenditure decreased by 35% to $172 million (30 June 2024: $264 million), predominantly due to cash preservation and optimisation initiatives. This includes the rephasing of Venetia underground life-extension and rationalisation of stay-in-business capex spend.

Corporate strategy

De Beers advanced delivery of its Origins strategy, with a focus on strengthening the appeal of natural diamonds through key partnerships and targeted campaigns to revitalise natural diamond marketing. In India, new initiatives were introduced to deepen the cultural resonance of natural diamonds and enhance retail engagement. These included launching a national natural diamond marketing campaign, the launch of a new collection in collaboration with leading Indian jeweller, Tanishq, and providing support for independent jewellers via the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC).

In the US, De Beers advanced the roll-out of its DiamondProof^TM verification device – empowering retailers and consumers to easily distinguish natural from lab-grown diamonds – backed by promotional activity. The company also unveiled its first category-defining ‘Beacon’ product in over a decade to increase consumer desire for natural diamonds, alongside the formal launch of ORIGIN – De Beers Group: a branded loose diamond programme powered by the Tracr^TM blockchain, offering full provenance and product storytelling for retail partners.

De Beers was also a signatory to the Luanda Accord, a landmark commitment between government and industry representatives to promote natural diamonds and drive global demand.

De Beers remains on track to achieve its strategic goals, including committed overhead cost savings through 2025.

Brands and Diamond Desirability

De Beers Jewellers, rebranded as De Beers London at the beginning of the year, continued to deliver on its re-set plan, with a focus on design-led pieces and high jewellery collections, despite ongoing market challenges. The brand also continues to build its global presence with new flagship stores in key markets. In April, it launched a flagship store in Dubai Mall in partnership with the Chalhoub Group, a renowned partner for luxury across the Middle East. Preparations are also underway for the launch of its Paris flagship store.

Forevermark continues its transformation into a premium finished jewellery brand, with a focus on growth opportunities in India. Four new stores are expected to open in Mumbai and Delhi during the second half of 2025. Forevermark’s legacy business continues its planned global ramp-down.

Market outlook

Near-term rough diamond trading conditions remain subdued amid continued tariff-related uncertainty. While the risk of a US recession has eased, high geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty continues to dampen sentiment.

Medium-term recovery prospects are supported by diamond producers seeking to adjust supply to meet prevailing demand, and a gradual improvement in demand, particularly in China.

Differentiation between natural and synthetic or laboratory-grown diamonds (LGDs) continues. Falling wholesale LGD prices and growing consumer awareness of the low production costs of LGDs are driving their positioning as low-cost fashion jewellery.

The outlook for natural diamonds is further bolstered by growing demand for verified provenance. Tracr^TM, the pioneering blockchain traceability platform developed by De Beers, now provides single-country origin information for all gem quality diamonds over 0.5 carats – aligning with new G7 import rules.

Operational outlook

Production guidance for 2025 remains at 20–23 million carats (100% basis). De Beers continues to monitor rough diamond trading conditions and will respond accordingly.

Unit cost guidance for 2025 is c.$94/carat⁽²⁾. The first half unit cost of $87/carat is lower than guidance, reflecting the impact of mine sequencing at Venetia and timing of in-port maintenance at Debmarine Namibia.

⁽¹⁾ Orapa constitutes the Orapa Regime which includes Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa. Letlhakane was placed on care and maintenance March 2025, and Damtshaa has been on care and maintenance since 2021.

⁽²⁾ Unit cost is based on De Beers’ proportionate consolidated share of costs and associated production. 2025 unit cost guidance was set at c.18.60 ZAR:USD.