Global diamond production this year fell by more than 20% to about 113 million carats due to planned production declines by the major producers and significant pandemic-related suspensions and curtailments across the industry, Paul Zimnisky, an independent diamond analyst and consultant told The Northern Miner.

Zimnisky said that mines including Ekati, Aikhal, Verkhne-Munskoye, Williamson, Liqhobong and Zarya have yet to resume production following suspensions in March, April and May. Canada’s Ekati mine, the largest in the group by production output, is estimated to have produced as much as five to seven million carats annually in recent years.