According to their latest production update, diamond output plummeted to 702,000 carats, marking a sharp decrease from 970,000 carats in Q2 2023. This 28% reduction is primarily attributed to a tragic plane crash earlier in the year and the cessation of A21 open-pit mining in Q3 2023.

For the first half of 2024, Rio Tinto's diamond production totaled 1.44 million carats, reflecting a 25% drop compared to the 1.92 million carats produced in the first half of 2023. The challenges faced at the Diavik mine were particularly noteworthy, largely stemming from these unexpected incidents.