(IDEX Online) - The world's richest diamond mine for the first three quarters of 2022 was Jwaneng, in Botswana, with 10.3m carats.
Orapa, also in Botswana, was second-placed with 8.0m carats, according to newly-published figures from miningintelligence.com.
Both mines are operated by Debswana, a partnership between De Beers and the government of Botswana.
Third on the list is Udachny mine, operated by Alrosa, the sanctioned Russian miner. The 4.6m-carat figure is based on its 2021 production, assuming trends since 2019 continued.
Fourth is the Venetia mine, in South Africa (4.6m carats), operated by De Beers and fifth is Nyurba, in Russia, with 3.6m carats (with same caveat as for Udachny).
Jwaneng and Orapa are also listed as the two highest value diamond mines, estimated at $1.25bn and $976m, both based on average historic annualized prices of $121.5 per carat.
Pic shows Jwaneng mine, Botswana