Diavik Produces 8.27 Million Carats in 2005

Aber Diamond Corporation reported that the Diavik diamond mine produced 8.27 million carats during 2005.  Production fell slightly below the mine plan estimate of 8.5 million carats, though there was a 9 percent carat increase over 2004.

A total of 7.74 million carats were delivered to the mine owners. Aber, who holds a 40 percent ownership in the mine, received 3.31 million carats in 2005, a 9 percent increase over 2004, with 0.73 million carats produced during the final quarter of the year. DDMI, who own a 60 percent stake in the mine, received 4.43 million carats. The remaining 0.53 million carats were retained as inventory.

Chairman and chief executive Robert Gannicott said, “We are pleased with the continued growth in production at Diavik as work proceeds to open more working faces to dependably deliver ore to the expanded processing capacity. We are also optimistic that improvements to both mining and processing methods may improve the liberation and recovery of enhanced diamond value."

Results for the full fiscal year ending January 31, as well as fourth quarter results, are expected to be released during the week of March 13.

Aber Diamond Corp. is a specialist diamond company focusing on the mining and retail segments of the diamond industry. The company also holds a 53 percent interest in Harry Winston Inc. DDMI, a wholly owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto plc., owns the remaining 60 percent of the Diavik mine.