Diamond mining remains a critical industry for many economies, including Canada’s.
Recent data assembled by Sam Parker, utilizing resources from the Kimberly Process and insights from Dr. Ashok Damarupurshad, sheds light on the world’s rough diamond production landscape in 2022.
Production by Weight
Russia led the charge in 2022, mining close to 42 million carats of rough diamonds. Following Russia, Botswana and Canada secured the second and third spots with 24.8 million and 16.2 million carats respectively.
This data underscores the significant role Canada plays in the global diamond mining sector.
Rank | Country | Rough Diamond Production (Carats) |
---|---|---|
1 | Russia | 41,923,910 |
2 | Botswana | 24,752,967 |
3 | Canada | 16,249,218 |
4 | DRC | 9,908,998 |
5 | South Africa | 9,660,233 |
6 | Angola | 8,763,309 |
7 | Zimbabwe | 4,461,450 |
8 | Namibia | 2,054,227 |
9 | Lesotho | 727,737 |
10 | Sierra Leone | 688,970 |
11 | Tanzania | 375,533 |
12 | Brazil | 158,420 |
13 | Guinea | 128,771 |
14 | Central African Republic | 118,044 |
15 | Guyana | 83,382 |
16 | Ghana | 82,500 |
17 | Liberia | 52,165 |
18 | Cote D’Ivoire | 3,904 |
19 | Republic of Congo | 3,534 |
20 | Cameroon | 2,431 |
21 | Venezuala | 1,665 |
22 | Mali | 92 |
Total | 120,201,460 |
Canada’s Position
Canada’s diamond production, primarily focused on gem-quality diamonds, sets it apart from countries like Russia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the output is largely geared towards industrial use.
The distinction in production quality places Canada in a favorable position in terms of the global value of diamond production.

The insights from 2022 highlight the nuanced dynamics of the global diamond mining sector, with Canada maintaining a significant position in terms of both production and value.
The diverse landscape of diamond production, from the vast mines of Russia to the quality-centric mines of Canada, reflects the multifaceted nature of the global diamond industry.
As Canada continues to uphold its reputation for high-quality gem production, its standing in the global diamond market is poised to remain robust.