Rio Tinto reported strong performance in its diamond operations for the fourth quarter and full year of 2024. Diamond production at the Diavik mine rose 18% year-on-year in Q4, reaching 775,000 carats.
This increase marked a recovery from earlier disruptions caused by a subsidence event, with improved underground ore deliveries driving the rebound.
For the entire year, Diavik's output totalled 2.76 million carats, a 17% decline from 2023. The decrease was largely due to operational setbacks earlier in the year, though production gained momentum in the latter months.
A key milestone was the successful and safe completion of Phase 1 of the A21 underground mine development, with commercial production commencing in October 2024. This expansion bolstered the mine’s capacity, contributing to the recovery in diamond output.
