Chamwe Kaira
Anglo American says it will proceed with plans to sell De Beers and expects to provide an update during 2026.
De Beers plays a key role in Namibia’s diamond sector through its partnership with the government in Debmarine Namibia, Namdeb Land and the Namibian Diamond Trading Company.
The update comes as Namibia’s diamond production declined in the first quarter of 2026.
Output fell 12% to 556 000 carats, down from 631 000 carats in the same period last year.
The drop follows scheduled maintenance on Debmarine Namibia’s mining fleet and the earlier decommissioning of two vessels.
Production improved from the previous quarter, rising from 459 000 carats, but remained below last year’s level.
Offshore production at Debmarine Namibia dropped 23% to 354 000 carats from 461 000 carats a year earlier.
Land operations at Namdeb recorded an increase. Production rose 19% to 202 000 carats compared to 170 000 carats in the first quarter of 2025. This helped limit the overall decline.
Globally, De Beers reported higher production. Output increased 17% to 7.13 million carats during the quarter.
Botswana produced 4.81 million carats. South Africa’s Venetia mine increased output by 53% to 740 000 carats. Canada’s Gahcho Kué mine rose 163% to 1.02 million carats.
Sales also increased. Total sales volumes rose 64% to 7.72 million carats. Revenue from rough diamond sales increased 25% to US$648 million.
The average diamond price declined. De Beers reported a 19% drop to US$101 per carat.
The company said full-year production guidance remains between 21 million and 26 million carats.
Anglo American chief executive officer Duncan Wanblad said operations in other divisions remain on track.
“We have delivered a strong start to the year across both copper and premium iron ore, tracking well to our mine plans. In Copper, the reopening of the second plant at Los Bronces has provided incremental profitable production; Collahuasi continues to progress towards higher-grade ore later this year, and Quellaveco’s recoveries improved, helping to partially offset the expected lower grades through the first half.
In premium iron ore, Kumba and Minas-Rio once again delivered stable operational performances. While the conflict in the Middle East is creating considerable volatility in the broader market, our resilient supply chain is currently supporting business continuity, and we are actively managing the situation to address potential adverse effects, including cost inflation.
“Our merger with Teck, to form a copper-focused global critical minerals champion, is on track for an expected September 2026 to March 2027 close. We were pleased to receive regulatory approval from South Korea in the quarter, with anti-trust approval from China now the final outstanding regulatory milestone, alongside other customary closing conditions,” he said.
