Anglo American, the majority shareholder in De Beers, on Thursday released figures showing that diamond production in Botswana fell 24% in the first six months of the year when compared to the same period last year. The diamond group which, in partnership with government, mines more than 95% of the country’s stones, also announced that average prices per carat in the first half of the year fell by 20%.
The diamond downturn seen from the second half of last year is persisting, with Anglo American now talking about a “protracted recovery” and saying it would have to further cut production this year, after the downward revision made in the first quarter.
