Namakwa Diamonds' production more than doubled in the six-month period ending February 28, 2011, reaching 86,885 carats - compared to the 41,109 carats produced in the corresponding period of 2010 - the company announced last week.

Revenue from mine production for the period reported stood at $14.98 million, a 120% increase over H2 2010 and 130% higher than in H1 2010.

The company's river-based operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo saw significant production increased, rising to 58,258 carats from 23,249 carats in the corresponding period of 2010. The average ore grade reported from these operations was 33 carats per hundred tons (cpht), with an average per-carat price of $224.

Namakwa's South African diamond mines yielded 20.591 carats for the period reported (compared to 17,860 in H1 2010) and 33 diamonds weighing over 10.8 carats each – including a 26.74-carat D color stone valued at $44,000/carat. The value of the company's South African diamonds reached $629/carat, a 52% increase over H1 2010.

CEO Nico Kruger said that the company had had a strong six months and was making progress on the delivery of stated production targets for FY2011.