Just three countries--Russia, Australia and the Democratic Republic of Congo--jointly produced almost 80 per cent of the world's diamonds last year. Russia was the single biggest diamond producer. It mined 19 million carats--just over 35 per cent. Australia and Congo tied for second place, both producing a little over 22 per cent of total production, or 12 million carats. The three countries jointly produced 79.62 per cent of the world's diamonds. Botswana trailed in fourth place with 9 per cent, or 5 million carats, but has the second biggest reserves--310 million carats. Russia has by far the biggest reserves, estimated at 650 million carats, or 34 years at current rates of consumption.
