ALROSA 2017 Output up 6% Despite Mir Mine Closure

(IDEX Online) – The ALROSA Group's diamond production last year totaled 39.6 million carats, up by 6% year-on-year.

"Despite the shutdown of the Mir underground mine in view of the accident in August 2017, the company delivered on the annual diamond production plan," said Igor Sobolev, First Vice President of ALROSA. "The key drivers for diamond production growth were higher output at the Udachny underground mine, development of the richest part of the deposit at the Jubilee pipe, increased grade at the Arkhangelskaya and Karpinskogo-1 pipes operated by Severalmaz, as well as higher production at the Botuobinskaya pipe."

ALROSA sold 41.2 million carats of diamonds, with rough sales of $4.2 billion and polished diamond sales of $96.9 million.

Rough diamond sales in Q4 2017 amounted to 9.4 million carats, including 6.2 million carats of gem-quality diamonds at an average price of $139 per carat, and 3.2 million carats of industrial diamonds at an average price of $6.5 per carat.

Rough diamond sales amounted to $881 million, while polished diamond sales for the quarter amounted to $28.7 million.