Diamond mining production reports of major Canadian mines have recently been publicized. Overall, declines were seen and production fell short of expectations.

 
BHP Billiton’s diamond production took a sharp dive during the second half of 2011. BHP Billiton’s 938,000 carats of rough diamonds is a 32% decline compared to the same period of 2010. The decline is a result of a slowdown in extraction.

Production in Billiton’s Ekati mine in Canada is expected to remain “constrained” in the medium term. Ekati sources about 10% of the world’s rough diamond supply and the constraints are expected to cause supply shortages in the market. Billiton announced a review of its interest in the Ekati mine last year, including the possible sale of interest in Ekati.

According to the Harry Winston Diamond Corporation website, Diavik diamond mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories produced 6.7 million carats of rough diamonds in 2011, falling short of expectations of 6.9 million. Divak’s 2012 production is forecast to be 8.3 million.  Divak mine is jointly controlled by Harry Winston Corp and Divak Diamond Mines Inc., a subsidiary of Rio Tinto Plc.

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