In 2013, Rio Tinto Diamonds registered a net profit growth of more than 50% to $ 53 million, compared to $ 25 million for the previous year.
The diamond division of the mining giant reported an increase in gross revenue to $ 852 million in 2013 compared to $ 741 million received in 2012.
Profit before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) showed a corresponding increase, reaching $ 257 million in 2013 compared to $ 106 million in the previous year.
The capital costs of the diamond mining company for the year were $ 319 million, and the value of working capital after the depreciation by $ 168 million reached $ 1.279 billion.
According to the company, at the end of 2012 the cost of working capital was higher - $ 1.307 billion, capital costs were $ 680 million, and write-offs were lower - $ 144 million.
The volume of Rio Tinto diamond production increased by 22% in 2013 to 16,027 million carats. In the previous year, Rio Tinto produced 13.122 million carats. The growth in diamond production is due to the beginning of underground mining in April 2013, a higher diamond content in the Argyle and an increase in the volume of processed rocks compared to 2012.