De Beers Kimberley Mines has achieved a production record of 2 million cts. this year—a production level that was last achieved in 1914. This represents almost a 100% increase in carat production from last year.

De Beers credits this success to the increase in production from innovative tailings re-treatment technology employed at the Combined Treatment Plant (CTP), which was officially opened by the Minister of Minerals and Energy, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, in August of this year.

This year’s original production target for Kimberley Mines was initially set by De Beers at 1.5 million cts. and then revised to 1.8 million cts. in the third quarter.

“It is astonishing what hard work, technology, and innovative management can do to produce as many diamonds from Kimberley Mines as were recovered almost a century ago,” says De Beers Chairman Nicky Oppenheimer. “Two million carats is simply amazing. I’m proud of the Kimberley Mines team for breathing life into our very old mines.”

Kimberley Mines General Manager David Noko adds, “Obviously we are excited by this magnificent performance displayed by our employees. These are encouraging results as we are working tirelessly to get Kimberley Mines back to profitability.”

JCK