METAL MARKETS Metal Snips (July 27, 1987)

Diamond sales during the first six months of 1987 were 28% above sales for the same period last year, the Central Selling Organization of De Beers Consolidated Mines reports. Sales of rough stones totalled $1.56 billion(US) during the first half of this year. Analysts are predicting sales for all of 1987 could come in just under $3 billion. The Soviet Union was the top producer of iron ore, iron ore concentrates and iron ore agglomerates in 1986 with 248,000 tons, followed by Brazil with 126,000 tons and Australia with 98,000 tons. Canadian output last year was 40,000 tons, down slightly from the 40,700 tons produced in the United States. Global production last year totalled 857,700 tons, up 1.5% from 1985. (Above 1986 tonnages, reported by the American Iron Ore Association, are preliminary figures.)

Diamond sales during the first six months of 1987 were 28% above sales for the same period last year, the Central Selling Organization of De Beers Consolidated Mines reports. Sales of rough stones totalled $1.56 billion(US) during the first half of this year. Analysts are predicting sales for all of 1987 could come in just under $3 billion.