Rio Tinto’s diamond production from the Diavik mine in Canada was 35% higher at 1.14 million carats than the second quarter of 2021. The higher numbers were mainly due to the company’s increased share of production since taking 100% ownership of Diavik in November 2021.
Its diamond output in Q2 2022 was 16% higher than Q1 2022. The increased Q2 production was partially offset by maintenance deficit build-up following Covid-19 disruptions, Rio Tinto said.
Rio Tinto’s H1 2022 diamond output increased 15% to 2.14 million carats compared with 1.85 million carats in H1 2021.
The maintenance deficit build-up and first quarter impacts of Covid-19 has impacted performance in the half and diamonds guidance for the full year 2022 is now expected to be 4.5 to 5.0 million carats.
The company said the bulk of its diamond exploration in Q2 2022 took place in Canada and Angola.