Rio Tinto’s latest production summary reveals a marked decline in diamond production for the Q2 2024. According to the recently released figures, diamond output fell to 702,000 carats in Q2 2024, down from 970,000 carats in Q2 2023. This 28% decrease has been attributed to a tragic plane crash earlier in the year and the cessation of A21 open-pit mining in the third quarter of 2023.
For the H1 of 2024, Rio Tinto’s diamond production totalled 1.44 million carats, a 25% decrease compared to the 1.92 million carats produced in H1 of 2023. The company’s Diavik mine, in particular, experienced significant production challenges due to these unforeseen events.