Alrosa could mine 36.1 mln carats in diamonds in 2014, revenue to top $5 bln
MOSCOW. Dec 12 (Interfax) - Alrosa will mine 36.1 million carats in diamonds this year and total cut and uncut diamond sales might exceed $5 billion, the company said in a statement, quoting preliminary data.
The company's production forecast for the year was 36 million carats.
"In 2015 the company will keep on focusing on the diamond business in line with the approved strategy. Next year rough diamond production will grow 2.1 million carats as compared with 2014 to 38.2 million carats. The increased diamond mining on Mir, Udachny and Internatsionalny underground mines in accordance with the mining development plan and the first production on Botuobinskaya and Karpinskogo-1 pipes are the major growth drivers. The aggregate rough diamond sales by Alrosa Group in 2015 will amount to some 40 million carats," Alrosa said.
"Alrosa's mining assortment in 2015 will improve as compared with 2014 mostly due to the start of underground diamond mining on Udachnaya pipe, commissioning of Karpinskogo-1 pipe and improved assortment of Internatsionalny underground mine," it said.
"In 2015, the company is planning to withdraw from nine business related affiliates and controlled companies in the scope of its non-core assets disposal program," it said.
The supervisory board also approved the long-term development program up to 2023 based on the current strategy of Alrosa Group, the company's long-term development plan for 2012-2021 and the program for innovation development and technological upgrade. According to development program, Alrosa will increase rough diamond production up to 41 million carats through reaching the design capacity of diamond deposits in the Arkhangelsk region and maintaining the current production level in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).
"The company will remain focused on exploration, mining and sale of rough diamonds. Successful implementation of the development program will allow Alrosa Group to strengthen its leadership on the diamond market, ensure the stable long-term growth of production and proceeds, as well as the growth of shareholder value," Alrosa said.