Lower ore grades and processed volumes at Rio Tinto’s Argyle diamond mine in Western Australia saw first quarter 2017 production dropping 16 percent below the fourth quarter of 2016 to 3.02 million carats. The fall is, however 11 percent below the same quarter the previous year.

Production at the Diavik mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories, however, surged 15 percent over the previous quarter to 1.14 million carats, as lower ore throughput was offset by higher recovered grades. The recovery comes after a slowdown at Diavik and production remains at the same level it was in the first quarter of 2016.

The company said the development of the A21 pipe remains on schedule.

Rio Tinto’s diamond production guidance for 2017 remains unchanged at 19 to 24 million carats.

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