De Beers’ rough diamond production increased by 36% to 8.7 million carats in line with the higher production forecast for 2017, reflecting stable trading conditions as well as the contribution from the ramp-up of Gahcho Kué in Canada.

Debswana (Botswana) production increased by 14% to 5.9 million carats. Orapa’s production increased by 44% driven by the ramp-up of Plant 1 which was previously on partial care and maintenance in response to trading conditions in late 2015. This was marginally offset by Jwaneng where production decreased by 3%.

Namdeb Holdings (Namibia) production increased by 32% to 0.4 million carats as a result of Debmarine Namibia’s Mafuta vessel being on planned extended in-port maintenance in Q2 2016. DBCM (South Africa) production increased by 71% to 1.4 million carats largely as a result of higher grades at Venetia.

Production in Canada increased almost six-fold to 1.0 million carats due to the ramp-up of Gahcho Kué to nameplate capacity. Consolidated rough diamond sales volumes(2) in Q2 2017 were 5.4 million carats (5.9 million carats on a total 100% basis) from two Sights, compared with 9.6 million carats (10.2 million carats on a total 100% basis) from three Sights in Q2 2016.

Apart from the additional Sight in Q2 2016, the decrease was expected given the strong levels of midstream restocking in H1 2016. For H1 2017, consolidated sales volumes(2) were 19.1 million carats (20.0 million carats on a total 100% basis), compared with 17.2 million carats (18.3 million carats on a total 100% basis) in H1 2016.

The average realised price of $156/ct in H1 2017 was 12% lower than in H1 2016. This reflected strong demand in Sight 1 2017 for lower value goods held in stock at 31 December 2016, following a recovery from the initial impact of India’s demonetisation programme in late 2016. The lower value mix was partially offset by a higher average rough price index, up 4%. Full Year Guidance Full year production guidance(1) remains unchanged at 31-33 million carats, subject to trading conditions.

Mark Cutifani, Anglo American Chief Executive, said: “We have delivered another strong production quarter across most of our businesses. Through the improvements we have made to our portfolio and the efficiencies we are driving, we continue to unlock the potential of our world class assets. The production ramps at Gahcho Kué, Minas-Rio and Grosvenor are also contributing to these ongoing positive performance trends. We have increased the full year production guidance for Kumba Iron Ore and are on track to deliver full year guidance across the rest of our products.”