Top 10 of the biggest diamond producing countries

the diamond may be rare, nearly 142 million carats were unearthed in 2020. Most of the diamonds of high quality discovered since 1870 come from Africa, in particular from the mines of Botswana or from South Africa, from where was extracted the cullinan, the largest rough diamond ever discovered. But let’s remember that 80% of diamonds are actually used for industrial purposes and therefore do not have to be huge! As a result, the first producing countries of diamond are not necessarily the ones we think of.

1. Russia

• Production 2020 : 23 million carats
• Estimated reserves : 650 million carats

Russia has been the world’s largest producer of diamonds for more than 10 years, thanks in particular to its mines ofUdatchnaya and of Mirnot far from the circle Arctic in the Republic of Sakha. The largest Russian diamond ever discovered, named “26^and Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union” and weighing 342 carats, was taken out of the Mir mine in 1980. The mining company Alrosa33% owned by the Russian state, alone extracts 27% of all diamonds in the world, according to Statistics.

2. Botswana

• Production 2020 : 16 million carats
• Estimated reserves : 310 million carats

Botswana, a southern African country 30 times smaller than Russia, holds the 2^and rank of the largest diamond producers in the world in number of carats: its diamonds are indeed larger and of better quality than those extracted in Russia. 12 to 15 million carats are extracted each year from the Jwaneng mine, half-owned by the Botswana government and the De Beers company. Discovered in 1972, it would be the most expensive mine in the world by its value.

3. Canada

• Production 2020 : 13 million carats
• Estimated reserves : NC

The discovery of diamonds in Canada was a big surprise for geologists, and commercial exploitation did not begin there until 1998. The country is nevertheless today one of the leading producers in the world, even if certain mines have already had to be closed due to particularly difficult operating conditions. . Most of deposits are found in the north of the country, in isolated places covered by ice for a good part of the year.

4. Angola

• Production 2020 : 8.5 million carats
• Estimated reserves : NC

Diamond mining began in Angola over 100 years ago when it was still a Portuguese colony. Most of Angola’s diamonds come from alluvial mines, such as that of Lulo, in the center of the country, from where sixteen stones of more than 100 carats have already been discovered. There would also exist let’s go of kimberlite but political instability has long prevented an accurate assessment of potential reserves.

5. South Africa

• Production 2020 : 7.7 million carats
• Estimated reserves : 54 million carats

It was in South Africa that the first diamonds in Africa were discovered. Although it is no longer the leading producer, the country remains today unavoidable on the diamond. Its large dykes and alluvial deposits produce diamonds of exceptional quality, especially those of color blue, very rare and very expensive. The Cullinan mine, from which came the largest rough diamond ever discovered, has today been supplanted by the Finsch and Venetia mines.

6. Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

• Production 2020 : 3.7 million carats
• Estimated reserves : 150 million carats

Official diamond production in the DRC stands at 3.7 million carats, but it is estimated that there are more than 700,000 illegal miners in the country. Despite a fairly large production, the value of the diamonds is quite low because only 20% of the stones are of high quality. jewelry. The diamondiferous veins are numerous but difficult to exploit since it is often necessary to dig more than 30 meters to reach them. In addition, production is essentially artisanal and therefore not very profitable.

7. Namibia

• Production 2020 : 1.9 million carats
• Estimated reserves : NC

The first diamonds were extracts of Namibia in 1908, while the country was still under German protectorate. The majority of diamonds are found on the coast, while no vein is identified there. Suddenly, geologists believe that the diamonds come from the kimberlites of neighboring South Africa and were transported by rivers. While the veins are gradually running out, the national company Namdeb has begun to explore the deep seabed, from which 12 million carats have already been extracted.

8. Lesotho

• Production 2020 : 1.1 million carats
• Estimated reserves : NC

The Letšeng mine in southeast Lesotho is considered to produce the best diamonds in the world. About ten diamonds weighing more than 300 carats have been extracted from the mine since 2006, including a huge 442 carat yellow diamond in 2020 or the “Lesotho Legend”, a 910-carat stone discovered in 2018. The Mothae kimberlite mine, located only 5 kilometers away and which entered production in 2018, is also renowned for its very high quality diamonds.

9. Australia

• Production 2020 : 340,000 carats
• Estimated reserves : 39 million carats

Australia only started producing its first diamonds in 1981 and quickly established itself as the leading producer of gem-quality diamonds. But the deposits were quickly exhausted and production continues to fall. The country’s main mine, located in Argyle in northern Australia, closed permanently in 2020. It was known for its pink diamondsextracts from fireplaces lamproite, a less common rock than kimberlite.

10. Tanzania

• Production 2020 : 260,000 carats
• Estimated reserves : NC

Tanzania is the 8^and African diamond producer, with 260,000 carats extracted in 2020. Production is mainly concentrated in the Williamson mine, located in the north of the country about 100 km from Lake Victoria. Discovered in 1940, it has been operating continuously ever since, making it one of the oldest mines in the world still in operation. Its reserves are estimated at around 38 million carats. Among the largest diamonds extracted from this mine is a 388-carat stone discovered in 1990.

sources: USGS, Statistics, BizVibe