Rio Tinto Diamonds announced today that production at its fully owned Argyle mine in Australia was 33% lower than the same quarter of 2008.



The mining conglomerate said diamond markets recovered during the fourth quarter, but remained below prior levels.

At Diavik, in which Rio Tinto has a 60% stake, fourth quarter carat production fell 41%, compared to the same quarter of 2008, as the mine reduced operating levels in response to weaker market conditions.