Russian diamond producer PJSCALROSA's second-quarter output fell to 8.7 million carats from 9.6 millioncarats produced a yearago, according to a July 21 release.

First-half production, meanwhile, slipped 6% year over year to16.9 million carats, which the company attributed to an increase in ore processingat the Mir underground mine and a decrease in ore processing at the InternationalUnderground mine — both part of the MirnyDivision.

In addition, output was affected by the partial replacement ofore processed from the UdachnyDivision's Udachny pipe with ore processed from Zarnitsa pipe, as open-pitmining was terminated at Udachny.

ALROSA also attributed the decline to a decrease in gravels processingat alluvial deposits due to the revisionof the full-year production plan from 39 million carats to 37 million carats.

According to the preliminary results, ALROSA sold 9.6 millioncarats of diamonds in the second quarter.

Revenue from the rough diamond sales amounted to about US$1.2billion in the quarter and US$2.5 billion in the first half.