BlueRock Diamonds PLC (LON:BRD) produced 42,409 tonnes of ore from its Kareevlei diamond mine in the Kimberley region of South Africa during the first quarter of 2019.
During the period the company sold 1,847 carats sold, a year-on-year increase of 18%.
WATCH: B lueRock Diamonds' Adam Waugh hails exceptional 8.97-carat diamond
Grades improved by 4% to 3.41 carats per hundred tonnes (cpht).
The average realised price per carat was 10% higher at US$371.
Two large stones were recovered and sold: an 8.97-carat diamond sold for US$74,513 and a 16.28 carat diamond for US$78,947.
"I am pleased that the volumes for the first quarter are at the higher end of our expectations despite the temporary suspension for 8 days in February,” said chief executive Adam Waugh.
“The average price per carat remains high reflecting the high quality of our diamonds. We commenced seven days a week operations on the 26 March 2019, the results of which are beginning to come through, assisted by a significant strengthening of our mining team in Kimberley.”