In the second quarter of the current fiscal year 2012-13 which closed on December 31, 2012, BHP Billiton’s diamond production from its Ekati mine recorded a 39 percent drop (on y-o-y basis) to 295,000 carats, reports add. The production when considered in view of the first six months of the said year, dropped 35 percent (n y-o-y basis) to 608,000 carats.

The company had last year announced its agreement with Harry Winston Diamond Corp, for sale of all interests in the Ekati mine to the latter for $500 million. It also noted that it intends to conclude the sale by first half of 2013, reports add.