Diamond exports from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) generated $89 million in revenue in 2024, according to the latest statistics from the Ministry of Mines. The total exports amounted to 9,240,714.14 carats during the year.
An analysis of the Ministry’s 2024 annual report reveals a growth of 11.26% in diamond exports compared to 2023, when exports totaled 8,305,796 carats.
The report indicates that artisanal mining dominated diamond production in the DRC, with over 6,353,613.89 carats produced, yielding $56.2 million in revenue.
Among the key artisanal diamond counters, MALABAR led with 28% of the exports, followed by DIAMAZ at 27%, SAGA and AMAZONA at 19% each, and MIABI with 7%.
Notably, the MIABI counter ceased operations following its export in April 2024, while the newly approved DIAMAZ counter made its first export in May 2024.
Industrial diamond production for 2024 totaled 2,887,100.25 carats, generating $32.8 million in revenue. SACIM was the sole producer of industrial diamonds, contributing 100% of the industrial exports.
In terms of export destinations, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was the leading importer, accounting for 54% of DRC’s diamond exports, followed by Belgium and the EU (44%), India (2%), China (0.003%), Botswana (0.002%), and the United States (0.0004%).
