De Beers' Diamond Production Up & Top Spot Filled

Mark Cutifani, chief executive of Anglo American, has been appointed chairman of the De Beers Group with immediate effect. He replaces former Anglo American CEO Cynthia Carroll who stepped down in October 2012. “De Beers is delighted to gain a chairman with Mark’s operational experience and track record for leading large organizations,” said Philippe Mellier, CEO of the De Beers Group. Prior to taking up his role as chief executive at Anglo American, Cutifani – a mining engineer – was CEO of AngloGold Ashanti.

Anglo American, which owns 85% of De Beers, reported that production at the diamond company surged 10% in the second quarter to 7.9 million carats.

The rise was a result of “favorable ore grades” at the Orapa and Jwaneng mines in Botswana, Anglo said. Although output at De Beers' Venetia mine in South Africa dropped 60%, full operations will resume in the second half of this year, it said. The Jwaneng mine is still recovering from the impact of a huge slope accident last year, while mining at Venetia was hit at the start of this year by heavier than usual rainfall.

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