NATURE

Water is essential to communities, ecosystems and economic activity. We are committed to reducing our freshwater withdrawals and implementing responsible water stewardship in the regions where we operate.

In 2025, De Beers delivered measurable improvements in water management across operations in water-stressed regions, where around 80% of active mines are situated.

Freshwater withdrawals fell to 9,918 ML, a 44% reduction compared with 2024, alongside an increase in water reuse and recycling efficiency to 73.4%.

In 2025, total withdrawals amounted to 62,172 megalitres, with nearly all water supporting mining activities.

For further information on our water management and wider sustainability reporting, including our calculation methodology and risk management, see our Sustainability Report 2025.

Our operational sites implement biodiversity management programmes to avoid and reduce impacts on nature and restore ecosystems where needed.

In 2025, we celebrated the 70th rhino calf born safely on our nature reserves in Botswana and expanded our Brown Hyena Research Project in Namibia to Karingarab and Southern Coastal Mine. The former is the latest milestone for ‘Diamonds in the Wild’, Debswana’s rhino conservation programme, which began in 2012, and the latter continues almost 30 years of work to protect one of the world’s rarest carnivores.

Across the Group in 2025, no significant (Level 3 or above) biodiversity-related incidents, were recorded, consistent with performance in previous years.

For further information on biodiversity and wider sustainability reporting, see our Sustainability Report 2025.

From extraction to closure, managing waste and tailings responsibly is fundamental to our operations. We are committed to minimising the impact of tailings, reducing waste and maximising reuse and recycling.​​

In 2025, De Beers reduced total waste generation by 19% and increased its waste diversion rate to 66.85%, ensuring that more than two-thirds of waste generated across operations was diverted from landfill. Of total waste produced, 56% comprised non-hazardous materials.​

For further information on waste and tailings management and wider sustainability reporting, see our Sustainability Report 2025.

Air quality, noise and vibration are important considerations across our operations. We are committed to managing and monitoring our non-GHG emissions in line with licence conditions, regulatory requirements and thorough stakeholder engagement.

Across our operations, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and sulphur dioxide (SO₂) emissions primarily arise from diesel use in mining activities.

In 2025, total NO₂ emissions amounted to 6,376 tonnes (2024: 7,008 tonnes), while SO₂ emissions totalled 131 tonnes (2024: 145 tonnes), reflecting a reduced production profile compared to 2024. No significant air quality, noise, or vibration incidents were recorded.

For further information on Non-GHG emission management and wider sustainability reporting, see our Sustainability Report 2025.

Environmental incidents may occur across operational activities and can affect ecosystems, communities and regulatory compliance. The ability to manage these impacts effectively is a core part of responsible mining.

In 2025, 200 environmental incidents were recorded, all classified as insignificant or minor in severity and managed through established environmental management systems, with no significant (Level 3–5) incidents recorded.

For further information on environmental incidents and wider sustainability reporting, see our Sustainability Report 2025.