Debswana production hits three year high
Mbongeni Mguni | Thursday January 25, 2018 11:30
Orapa No. 1 had been out of action since December 2015, being placed under partial care and maintenance as a measure against weak demand.
According to Anglo American production figures released this morning, 2017 production was 11 percent higher than 2016 and 11.3 percent higher than 2015. In 2014, Debswana’s mines produced 24.2 million carats.
Figures provided show that from a flat start to 2017 when first quarter production of 5.2 million carats was lower than the first quarter of 2016, production heated up at Debswana with subsequent quarters reaching 5.9 million, 6.1 million and 5.5 million carats respectively.
“Production (in the fourth quarter) increased marginally to 5.5 million carats,” a statement from the group reads.
“Orapa’s production increased 14 per cent, mainly due to planned increases in plant performance, and the ramp-up of Plant 1, which was previously on partial care and maintenance in response to trading conditions in late 2015.
“This was partially offset by Jwaneng where production decreased 15 per cent due to expected lower grades.”
The figures show that at 22.7 percent, Debswana mines produced about 68 percent of De Beers’ global production. Other mines in the De Beers stable include operations in Canada, South Africa and Namibia.
Debswana is scheduled to reopen its Damtshaa Mine near Letlhakane this month.