Rio Tinto reported a significant increase in its diamond production for the first quarter of 2025, driven by strong performance at its Diavik diamond mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories. The company’s Q1 Operations Review reveals that diamond production reached 942,000 carats, marking a 27% rise compared to the 740,000 carats produced in Q1 2024 and a 22% increase from the 775,000 carats in Q4 2024.
The uptick in output reflects improved operational efficiency at Diavik, where 394,000 tonnes of ore were processed in Q1 2025, up from 343,000 tonnes in the same period last year and 330,000 tonnes in the prior quarter.
The strong Q1 performance follows a volatile 2024, with diamond production dipping to a low of 542,000 carats in Q3 before recovering in Q4. Diamonds now remain a niche but strategically valuable asset within Rio Tinto’s diversified portfolio.