Russia is the largest diamond producing country in the world, with 15 million carats of diamond mined in 2021. One-third of the total diamonds produced in 2021 originated from Russia. This article explores the Diamond mining statistics from the United States Geological Survey.
Russia is the largest diamond mining country in the world, with 15 million carats of diamond mined in 2021. One-third of the diamonds mined in 2021 originated from Russia. Congo is the second-largest diamond producer in the world, with 11 million carats of diamond mined in 2021. With 8 million carats of diamond production, Australia ranked as the world’s third-highest diamond producer.
The world’s top three diamond producers account for 75% of the total production.
Following is the list of top diamond-producing countries in the world as estimated by the United States geological survey.(Source- US Geological Survey)
Rank | Country | Diamond Production ( million carats) |
---|---|---|
1 | Russia | 15 |
2 | Congo | 11 |
3 | Australia | 8 |
4 | Botswana | 6 |
5 | South Africa | 2 |
6 | Zimbabwe | 2 |
7 | Other Countries | 1 |
Contents
- Which country is the largest producer of Diamond?
- How much Diamonds are produced in the world in a year?
- How much Diamond reserves are found in the world?
- Which country has the largest Diamond reserve?
- Diamond Mining in Russia
- Diamond Mining in Congo
- Diamond Mining in Australia
- Diamond Mining in Botswana
- Diamond Mining in South Africa
- Diamond Mining in Zimbabwe
- Diamond Mining in USA
How much Diamonds are produced in the world in a year?
Total diamond production in the world was at 45 million carats in 2021. Diamond mining for 2021 dropped significantly from 51 million carats of diamond mined in 2020. With 45 million carats of diamond mined in 2021, it marked the year when the world’s total diamond production reached the lowest level in the last 5 years.
In the last 6 years, the highest amount of diamond produced was in 2018, with a total world output of 63 million carats of diamond.
What is the amount of diamond reserves present in the world?
US geological survey 2021 estimates that the world’s total confirmed diamond reserves are 1,803 million carats. Total mine reserves increased from 1,387 million carats in 2020 to 1,803 million in 2021.
Significant discoveries of diamonds in Russia and Botswana account for the increase in the diamond reserves over the last year.
With only 45 million carats of diamond mined in 20121, the stock of diamond reserves yet to be mined is high. Less than 2.5% of the total diamond reserves were unearthed in 2021.
Which country has the largest Diamond reserve?
Russia has the highest quantity of confirmed diamond reserves in the world, with 1100 million carats of diamond. 61% of the total verified gold reserves are in Russia. Botswana has the second-highest confirmed diamond reserves in the world, with 300 million carats of diamond.
With 150 million carats of diamond reserves, Congo has the third highest quantity of diamond reserves.
86% of the world’s total confirmed diamond reserves are in the top three countries. That makes diamond a metal with the most concentrated supply of precious metals worldwide.
The below table demonstrates estimated diamond reserves located in each country in 2021- (Source- US Geological Survey)
Rank | Country | Diamond Reserve (million carats) |
---|---|---|
1 | Russia | 1,100 |
2 | Botswana | 300 |
3 | Congo | 150 |
4 | South Africa | 120 |
5 | Australia | 11 |
6 | Zimbabwe | 1 |
7 | USA | 1 |
8 | Other Countries | 120 |
Diamond mining in Russia
Russia is the largest diamond-producing country, with 15 million carats produced in 2021. Russia accounts for more than 33% of the total diamond output of the world. Like all other diamond-producing countries, the diamond output of Russia reduced from 19 million carats in 2020 to 15 million in 2021.
Russia has the world’s highest diamond reserves, with 1,100 million carats of confirmed diamond reserves. 61% of total diamond reserves in the world are in Russia. Diamond mining industrial activity in the country is improving year over year. Russia has identified more diamond reserves in the country.
The total diamond reserves in Russia have doubled from 650 million carats in 2016 to 1100 million carats in 2021.
Diamond mining in Congo
Congo is the second-largest diamond-producing country in the world. The diamond production from Congo was at 11 million carats in 20211. The total diamond production from Congo has been declining in the last 6 years. The total diamonds unearthed from Congo reduced from 19 million carats in 2017 to 11 million in 2021.
Congo has the third largest confirmed diamond reserves in the world. The current diamond reserves of Congo are at 150 million tons. 8% of the total diamond reserves of the world are in Congo.
Diamond mining in Australia
Australia is the third-largest producer of diamonds in the world. In 2021, Australia mined 8 million carats of diamond. Australia accounts for 17% of the total diamond output in the world.
The quantity of diamond produced in Australia has reduced from 12 million carats mined in 2020 to 8 million in 2021. Diamond mining in Australia is shrinking from the highest level of diamond output of 17 million tons in 2018.
The total capacity of the Australian diamond industry is shrinking year over year. Currently, only 11 million carats of diamond reserves are present in Australia. Australia accounts for only one percent of the total diamond reserves of the world.
Diamond mining in Botswana
Botswana is the world’s 4th highest diamond-producing country. in 2021, 6 million carats of diamond were mined out of Botswana. Botswana accounts for 13% of the total diamond output in the world. Diamond mining from Botswana increased to 6 million carats in 2021 from 5 million in 2020. Diamond production in Botswana reached the highest level of 7 million carats in 2018.
Botswana has the second-largest confirmed diamond reserves in the world. US geological survey estimates the current diamond reserves in Botswana are 300 million carats. The total proved diamond reserves in Botswana have increased from 90 million carats in 2017 to the current level of 300 million carats.
Identification of new diamond reserves has increased the confirmed diamond reserves of Botswana. Along with Russia, Botswana is the only other country whose diamond reserves have risen significantly in the past few years. Currently, Botswana accounts for 17% of the total diamond reserves in the world.
Diamond mining in South Africa
South Africa is the 5th highest diamond producer in the world. In 2021, South Africa mined 2 million carats of diamond. The diamond output from South Africa reduced from 3 million carats mined in 2020 to 2 million carats in 2021.
South Africa has 120 million carats of confirmed diamond reserves. South Africa accounts for 7% percentage of the total diamond services in the world. In the last 6 years, South African reserves have increased from 70 million carats to 120 million carats.
Diamond Mining in Zimbabwe
Total diamond production from Zimbabwe was 2 million carats in 2021. Diamond production in Zimbabwe reached the highest level of 3 million carats in 2019. The production has reduced since then.
Diamond mining in USA
Although the USA is not a significant diamond producer, with 1 million carats of diamond mined in 2021, the USA is the 8th highest diamond producing country in the world.
Diamond is one of the most unique materials in the world. This uniqueness and rarity are why diamonds have high demand and price. Diamond mining activity is expected to increase due to increased diamond reserves and technological advancements.
Sources
I have studied various publicly available information from government sources and other public sources to prepare this article. Thanks to the creators of all the original data from the below sources.
USGS Commodities Summary Diamond
Latest on Diamond mining in Russia- boomberg
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