Rio Tinto’s diamond output up 12% in 2012

Diversified mining giant Rio Tinto (ASX, LON:RIO) posted a 9% in diamond production to 3.248 ‎million carats in the last quarter of 2012.

Each of the company’s diamond mines reported an increase in their individual production levels.

The fully-owned Argyle mine recorded a 5% increase in production to 2.01 ‎million carats. The company’s 60% stake in production at the Diavik mine in Canada registered a 19% increase to 1.141 million carats.

The 78% stake in production held by Rio Tinto in the Murowa mine in Zimbabwe reported an 11% increase to 98,000 carats.

Last year the company’s overall diamond production rose 12% to ‎‎13.122 million carats.

(Image Copyright: Psycho)