Alrosa Diamond Sales Exceed 41M Carats in 2017

RAPAPORT... Alrosa sold more diamonds than it mined in 2017, even as production grew.The Russian miner reported sales volume of 41.2 million carats for the year, up 3% from the amount it reported for 2016. Meanwhile, output rose 6% year on year to 39.6 million carats, the company said Friday.Higher production at the Aikhal, Udachny and Nyurba divisions compensated for a 13% drop at Mirny, after Alrosa suspended operations at the Mir underground mine due to a flood in August.Rough sales value fell 5% to $4.2 billion for the year, as the average price achieved for its rough slid 7% to $101 per carat, according to Rapaport calculations. Alrosa sold $96.9 million of polished diamonds.Image: Alrosa