There are plans to lower rough diamond production at Debmarine Namibia and offset the output by mining in higher-grade areas and better recoveries at Namdeb.
De Beers says production in Namibia is broadly unchanged for the first quarter of 2025, while in Botswana, production decreased by 8% to 4.6 million carats due to the planned actions to lower production.
In South Africa, production decreased by 19% to 0.5 million carats due to changes in shift configuration and the impact of the heavy rainfall and flooding in January 2025, which temporarily restricted access to the mining operations.
Production in Canada decreased by 40% to 0.4 million carats due to the planned treatment of lower-grade ore.
Overall, rough diamond production decreased by 11% to 6.1 million carats, reflecting the continued production response to the prolonged period of lower demand.
Consumer demand for diamond jewellery in the United States over the year-end holiday season aligned with expectations.
However, rough diamond demand in the first quarter remained subdued as the midstream continued its cautious approach to restocking due to excess loose polished diamond inventory.
While there were signs of loose polished diamond prices stabilising towards the end of the quarter, lifting industry confidence, ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty, and, in particular, the impact of US tariffs, will likely result in continued cautious Sightholder purchases in the near term.
“We continue to manage the business to preserve cash while maintaining underlying value,” De Beers says.
Production guidance 2025 is unchanged at 20–23 million carats (100% basis).
