The De Beers Group this week released its production report for the second quarter of the year, reporting an 88% increase in rough diamond production, translating to about a recovery of 7.8 million carats from its plants in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. The company’s production guidance for the year remains unchanged at 21 to 26 million carats on a 100% basis. However, De Beers noted that plant maintenance at Orapa and Jwaneng in Botswana, and a proposed production pause at Venetia in the second half is expected to substantially decrease production levels from current rates. In Canada, production increased to 1,028 million carats, as Gahcho Kué benefited from the planned processing of higher-grade ore from the new mining area. Rough diamond sales during the reporting period totalled 7.1 million carats (6 million carats on a consolidated basis) from three Sights, generating consolidated rough diamond sales revenue of $665 million.