Diamond miner De Beers’ rough diamond production decreased by 4% year-on-year to 7.2-million carats in the third quarter of the year as a result of planned reductions in production to match lower demand for rough diamonds in the market, amid Covid-19.

Specifically, production from the company’s mines in Botswana decreased by 15% year-on-year to 4.8-million carats, owing to the planned treatment of lower-grade material at both the Jwaneng and Orapa operations, with production targeted at levels to meet lower demand.