Diamond production at Rio Tinto’s Diavik mine in Canada fell 22% year on year to 740,000 carats in the first quarter of 2024. The company suspended production at the mine after four workers lost their lives in a plane crash in January.
“We have been deeply affected by the loss of four Diavik colleagues and two airline crew members in a plane crash in January. This tragedy has strengthened our resolve to never be complacent about safety,” said Rio Tinto CEO Jakob Stausholm.
Rio Tinto stopped diamond production for an unspecified time following the tragedy.
Meanwhile, production was 12% higher than the previous quarter (Q4 2023), during which the miner closed two kimberlite pipes and produced lower-grade ore. Kimberlite processing fell 20% year on year and amounted to 343,000 tonnes during the reporting quarter.
Rio Tinto has transferred ownership and operational responsibilities for the Fort a La Corne diamond project in Saskatchewan, Canada, to Star Diamond Corporation in exchange for shares during the first quarter of 2024.
Diamond output at Diavik amounted to 3.3 million carats in 2023.
Theodor Lisovoy, Editor in Chief of the European bureau, Rough&Polished
