BHP Billiton’s quarterly diamond production decreased 14% during the September 2009 quarter, compared to the previous quarter, mainly due to lower ore processed, the company said today. Compared to the September 2008 quarter, production was up 1%.



During the September 2009 quarter, rough diamond output at its Ekati mine in Canada totaled 780,000 carats.



“Diamond production continues to be influenced by variability of ore sources due to the mix of open pit and underground mining,” the company said in its quarterly production report.