BHP Q1 Diamond Production Drops 32%, Gold -18%

(IDEX Online News) – Low diamond production by BHP Billiton in the September ending quarter. BHP's Ekati produced just 313,000 carats during the period, dropping 32 percent year-over-year.

Compared to the June quarter, production fell 24 percent as mining faced "restricted" conditions, according to the company, and unscheduled maintenance.

"While production is expected to recover in the December 2012 quarter, it is forecast to remain constrained in the medium term as the operation extracts lower grade material, consistent with the mine plan," BHP stated in a production report.

The company said the review of its diamonds business is continuing.

Gold production fell 18 percent year-over-year to 32,436 ounces.