Diamond miner De Beers's rough diamond production increased by 17% year-on-year to 7.1-million carats for the quarter ended March 31, with the increase primarily driven by planned ore release from the joint venture Gahcho Kué mine, in Canada, and higher volumes from the Venetia underground mine, in South Africa.

The group's production was also 88% higher quarter-on-quarter, despite the challenging trading conditions amid ongoing industry, geopolitical and tariff headwinds.

De Beers's operations in Botswana increased output by 5% year-on-year and by 156% quarter-on-quarter to 4.8-million carats, as a result of higher recovered grade at Orapa. The Jwaneng mine's output was broadly consistent with that of the first quarter of 2025.

Production in Namibia decreased by 12% year-on-year to 600 000 oz, owing to scheduled maintenance on two vessels at Debmarine Namibia, along with the impact of decommissioning two vessels in 2025. Output was, however, 21% higher quarter-on-quarter.

In South Africa, production at Venetia increased by 53% year-on-year to 700 000 ct, largely as a result of processing higher volumes of underground ore. Production was also 49% higher quarter-on-quarter.

In Canada, production increased to one-million carats, reflecting the planned ore release in Gahcho Kué from a new area of the mine.

The group maintains its production guidance for the full 2026 at between 21-million and 26-million carats.

Meanwhile, De Beers's rough diamond sales for the quarter was 7.7-million carats from two sightholder sales, which generated consolidated rough diamond sales revenue of $648-million.

That compares with the sale of 4.7-million carats for $520-million in revenue from two sightholder sales in the first quarter of 2025.

The consolidated average realised price declined by 19% to $101/ct for the first quarter of this year, primarily driven by a 17% decrease in the average rough price index, as well as a sales mix with a higher proportion of lower-value goods.

De Beers reiterates that its parent company Anglo American still plans to divest of the diamond business.