Rio Tinto Diamond Production Slids in Q4 and FY2010
January 18, 11
(IDEX Online News) - Rio Tinto’s total diamond production declined in 2010, mainly an outcome of the lower grade ore mined at Argyle. Global diamond production by the company totaled 13,843,000 carats in 2010, a one percent year-over-year decline, the company revealed in a fourth quarter production report.
At Argyle, ore processing increased 57 percent in 2010, following the three month shutdown in 2009, but diamond production declined by 7 percent to 9,804,000 carats, a result of the lower grade mined this past year.
Diamond production at Diavik was 17 percent higher than in 2009 reflecting a significant increase in ore processed, partly offset by lower grades in the areas currently being mined.
Rio Tinto is continuing its evaluation project at Bunder, India.
Rio Tinto Diamond Production Summary
