Despite reduced production in some local diamond mining operations, with Letlhakane and Damtshaa mines placed under maintenance and care, Botswana remains the powerhouse of De Beers, delivering the highest production output.
Following the releases of the De Beers half year production report, Botswana has contributed 2.7 million carats of diamonds which accounts for 66% of the miner’s 4.1 million carats mined during the second quarter of 2025.
The 2.7 million is the collective efforts of Jwaneng and Orapa mines which churned out 1.9 million carats and 0.8 million carats respectively.
Despite leading De Beers operations, Botswana’s production went down by 44% in quarter two from 4.7 million carats as compared to quarter 2 of 2024. When compared to quarter 1 of 2025, the production indicates a decrease of 42% from 4.5 million carats.
The decline has been attributed to extended maintenance at Orapa as well as actions to lower production, which included putting the Letlhakane Tailings Treatment Plant on care and maintenance while Jwaneng production was broadly consistent with the prior period.
However, overall De Beers Group rough diamond production for Q2 2025 decreased by 36% to 4.1 million carats from 6.4 million carats, reflecting a planned production response to the prolonged period of lower demand.
Meanwhile, De Beers operations out of Botswana experience lower figures with production in Namibia falling by 5% to 0.5 million carats due to planned output reductions and vessel retirements at Debmarine, though partially offset by higher-grade mining at Namdeb.
South Africa recorded a 17% increase to 0.6 million carats as underground ore processing ramped up at Venetia, despite overall output remaining below previous open-pit levels.
In Canada, output dropped by 46% to 0.4 million carats, driven by the planned treatment of lower-grade ore.
