De Beers produced 4.83 million carats of diamonds in Botswana in the third quarter of 2026, down 20% year on year, according to results published on Tuesday 20 October. The group attributes the decline to scheduled maintenance at its Orapa facilities.
Volumes at Orapa fell 36% to 1.85 million carats, while those at Jwaneng dropped 5% to 2.98 million. De Beers said planned work at Jwaneng in the fourth quarter should still lower output significantly compared with the July to September rate.
Over the first nine months, Botswana's output nevertheless remains 14% higher than in 2025, at 15.13 million carats. Across the group, quarterly volumes fell 11% to 6.81 million carats. In South Africa, Venetia slowed operations ahead of a two-year pause and is not expected to produce any diamonds this year.
De Beers has nevertheless raised its global target for 2026 to a range of 25 to 28 million carats, from 21 to 26 million previously. The revision includes the full takeover of Gahcho Kué in Canada on 16 October. The share of this mine recorded by the group will rise from 51% to 100%, without a corresponding increase in global supply.
Anglo American is meanwhile seeking to sell De Beers. According to Reuters, it is negotiating notably with Botswana, which already holds 15% of the diamond producer and wants to increase that stake. The sale remains ongoing.