De Beers Group reported an 88% year-on-year increase in rough diamond production to 7.8 million carats in the second quarter (Q2) of 2026, reflecting higher output across its operations in Botswana and Canada.
The increase was primarily driven by the impact of the extended maintenance shutdown at Orapa in Botswana during the comparable period last year, along with the planned mining of higher-grade ore at Jwaneng in Botswana and Gahcho Kué in Canada. Production was broadly stable compared with the first quarter of 2026.
In Botswana, production increased 93% to 5.5 million carats, supported by higher output at Orapa following last year’s maintenance shutdown and planned mining of higher-grade ore at Jwaneng.
Namibia’s production declined 5% to 600,000 carats due to planned lower-grade and lower-volume mining. South Africa recorded a 17% increase in production to 600,000 carats, reflecting improved plant performance and higher grades processed at Venetia.
In Canada, production more than doubled, rising 104% to 1.1 million carats. The increase was attributed to the planned mining of higher-grade ore at Gahcho Kué.
For the first half of 2026, De Beers produced 14.9 million carats, up 46% from 10.2 million carats in the corresponding period of 2025.
The company maintained its full-year production guidance of 20 million to 23 million carats, subject to trading conditions. De Beers noted that guidance reflects its continued response to prevailing rough diamond trading conditions through production flexibility, while also taking into account the two-year production pause at Venetia’s underground operations announced earlier this month.
De Beers also reported that rough diamond sales totalled 4.5 million carats during the fifth sales cycle of 2026, compared with 4.7 million carats in the fourth sales cycle. Consolidated average realised prices increased to US$154 per carat from US$145 per carat in the previous cycle, mainly due to a favourable product mix.
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