Ekati Production Down 30% in March-Ended Quarter

BHP Billiton’s year-to-date diamond production from its Ekati mine totaled 2.485 million carats for the nine-month period ended March 31, a 7 percent increase over 2007. 620,000 carats were produced in the quarter, a 30 percent year-over-year decline.

The year-to-date decrease was mainly due to lower grades. The firm notes that, although production was lower, it included an increased proportion of higher value carats. As the Ekati mine in Canada transitions from open pit mining to underground mining, the mix of ore processed will change from time to time.

Carat production decreased year-over-year in the quarter ended December 31.