Petra Diamonds Ltd - Q1 FY 2026 Operating Update
PR Newswire
LONDON, United Kingdom, October 29
29 October 2025 | |
| LSE: PDL |
Petra Diamonds Limited
( Petraor the Company)
Q1 FY 2026 Operating Update
Vivek Gadodia and Juan Kemp, Joint Interim Chief Executive Officers of Petra Diamonds, commented:
"As mentioned in our FY 2025 Financial Results announcement on 17 October 2025, this quarter we have been focused on the continued execution of our updated business plan. Our product mix has continued to improve, especially for Cullinan Mine, as evidenced by the results of our first two tenders of FY 2026. The tenders delivered US$52 million in revenue with average prices increasing 53% over Q4 FY 2025, with product mix contributing 61%, partially offset by an 8% decrease in like-for-like prices.
Cullinan Mine faced some productivity issues in the early part of the quarter as it transitioned from a continuous operation to its new 3-shift configuration, but this has since begun to stabilise. Finsch had a steady production quarter as we continue to open up new parts of the orebody. We remain confident of delivering on our FY 2026 guidance released in August 2025.
Petra recorded 8.5 years fatality free by the end of Q1 FY 2026 representing 8.5 million fatality free shifts, with the LTIFR improving to 0.27 from 0.58 in Q4 FY 2025. Safety remains a key priority area with the key focus on reinstating a sense of stability for our employees following a time of significant internal change at the Company."
Investor presentation
The Company is pleased to announce that the Joint Interim Chief Executive Officers and the Chief Financial Officer will provide a live presentation relating to this update, and recent newsflow, via Investor Meet Company on 30 Oct 2025, 11:30 GMT.
The presentation is open to all existing and potential shareholders. Questions can be submitted pre-event via your Investor Meet Company dashboard up until 29 Oct 2025, 17:00 GMT, or at any time during the live presentation.
Investors can sign up to Investor Meet Company for free and add to meet PETRA DIAMONDS LIMITED via:
https://www.investormeetcompany.com/petra-diamonds-limited/register-investor
Highlights vs Q4 FY 2025
- LTIFR reduced to 0.27 and LTIs halved to 2 (Q4 FY 2025: 0.58 and 4, respectively)
- Ore processed decreased marginally by 1% to 1.74Mt at Cullinan Mine and Finsch, showing steady state production (Q4 FY 2025: 1.77Mt), despite the move away from Continuous operations to the new 3-shift configuration at the Cullinan Mine
- Total revenue amounted to US$52 million (Q4 FY 2025: US$50 million) from 469,286 carats sold (Q4 FY 2025: 687,870 carats), with an average price of US$110/ct (Q4 FY 2025: US$72/ct)
- The South African Rand strengthened during the quarter, averaging ZAR17.64:US$1 (Q4 FY 2025: ZAR18.29:US$1)
- The ZAR1.75 billion (US$102 million) Revolving Credit Facility with Absa Bank was fully drawn at 30 September 2025 (30 June 2025: fully drawn)
- Consolidated net debt increased to US$287 million as at 30 September 2025 (30 June 2025: US$264 million), due to only having two tenders during the quarter
- Average diamond prices increased 53% from Q4 FY 2025 to Q1 FY 2025, with like-for-like prices down by 8% and product mix improvements contributing to a 61% increase
Operating Summary
Unit | FY 2026 | FY 20251 | |||||
Q1 | Q4 | Var. | Q1 | Var. | 12 months | ||
Safety |
|
|
|
|
| ||
LTIFR | Rate | 0.27 | 0.58 | -53% | 0.45 | -40% | 0.42 |
LTIs | Number | 2 | 4 | -50% | 4 | 0% | 13 |
|
| ||||||
Sales |
|
| |||||
Diamonds sold | Carats | 469,286 | 687,870 | -32% | 19 | n/a | 2,359,904 |
Revenue 2 | US$m | 52 | 50 | +4% | 9 | n/a | 206 |
|
| ||||||
Production |
|
| |||||
ROM tonnes | Mt | 1,587,808 | 1,691,762 | -6% | 1,566,837 | +1% | 6,485,074 |
Tailings and other tonnes | Mt | 154,756 | 74,249 | +108% | 98,002 | +58% | 407,579 |
Total tonnes treated | Mt | 1,742,564 | 1,766,011 | -1% | 1,664,839 | +5% | 6,892,653 |
|
| ||||||
ROM diamonds | Carats | 565,750 | 599,104 | -6% | 518,364 | +9% | 2,248,645 |
Tailings and other diamonds | Carats | 43,586 | 20,270 | +115% | 48,857 | -11% | 180,190 |
Total diamonds | Carats | 609,336 | 619,374 | -2% | 567,221 | +7% | 2,428,835 |
1 All figures exclude Williamson which, having been sold during FY 2025, was classified as a discontinued operation in our FY 2025 audited results
2 Revenue reflects proceeds from the sale of rough diamonds and excludes revenue from profit share arrangements
LTIs and LTIFR
The Group reached 8.5 million fatality-free shifts during the quarter, with a significant (50%) reduction in LTI compared to Q4 FY 2025 (Q1 FY 2026: LTI: 2, LTIFR: 0.27) and (Q4 FY 2025: LTI: 4, LTIFR: 0.58).
Various interventions and initiatives have been implemented at our operations. These initiatives intend to address specific challenges at each operation to ensure the health and safety of our employees. These initiatives include:
- Increased management visibility through Visual Felt Leadership interventions
- Empowerment of Health and Safety Representatives in the workplace to conduct their duties effectively
- Enhanced on-the-job coaching for risk assessments
- Targeted safety blitzes to address specific operational risks
These efforts are aimed at strengthening our safety culture and ensuring that every team member remains vigilant and empowered to work safely.
Q1 FY 2026 sales results
Diamond sales for Q1 FY 2025 were US$52 million from 469,286 carats. Average prices increased 53% over Q4 FY 2025, with product mix contributing 61%, partially offset by an 8% decrease in like-for-like prices across all product categories. Rough diamond sales results for the respective periods are shown below.
There were no tender sales in Q1 FY 2025 and therefore the tables do not include a comparison against the prior period.
Quarter 1 FY 2026 | Quarter 4 FY 2025 | Variance | FY 20251 | |
Diamonds sold (carats) | 469,286 | 687,870 | -32% | 2,359,904 |
Sales (US$ million) | 52 | 50 | +4% | 206 |
Average price (US$/Ct) | 110 | 72 | +53% | 87 |
1 All figures exclude Williamson which, having been sold during FY 2025, was classified as a discontinued operation in our FY 2025 audited results
Price comparison by operation
Mine by mine average prices for the respective periods are set out in the table below:
US$/carat | Quarter 1 FY 2026 | Quarter 4 FY 2025 | FY 2025 |
Cullinan Mine | 130 | 73 | 96 |
Finsch | 81 | 70 | 74 |
Pricing assumptions for FY 2026 remain unchanged:
FY 2026 | |
Cullinan Mine | 85 - 105 |
Finsch | 75 - 95 |
Future diamond prices are influenced by a range of factors outside of Petra's control and so these assumptions are internal estimates only and no reliance should be placed on them. The Company's pricing assumptions will be considered on an ongoing basis and may be updated as appropriate.
For further information please contact
Investor Relations, London
Julia Stone Telephone: +44 (0)7495470187
Kelsey Traynor
investorrelations@petradiamonds.com
Notes:
The following definitions have been used in this announcement:
- cpht: carats per hundred tonnes
- LTIs: lost time injuries
- LTIFR: lost time injury frequency rate, calculated as the number of LTIs multiplied by 200,000 and divided by the number of hours worked
- FY: financial year ending 30 June
- CY: calendar year ending 31 December
- Q: quarter of the financial year
- ROM: run-of-mine (i.e. production from the primary orebody)
- m: million
- Mt: million tonnes
- Mcts: million carats
- period: the first quarter of FY 2026
- Preceding Period: Q4 FY 2025
- Prior Period: Q1 FY 2025
ABOUT PETRA DIAMONDS
Petra Diamonds is a leading independent diamond mining group and a supplier of gem quality rough diamonds to the international market. The Company's portfolio incorporates interests in two underground mines in South Africa (Cullinan Mine and Finsch).
Petra's strategy is to focus on value rather than volume production by optimising recoveries from its high-quality asset base in order to maximise their efficiency and profitability. The Group has a significant resource base which supports the potential for long-life operations.
Petra strives to conduct all operations according to the highest ethical standards and only operates in countries which are members of the Kimberley Process. The Company aims to generate tangible value for each of its stakeholders, thereby contributing to the socio-economic development of its host countries and supporting long-term sustainable operations to the benefit of its employees, partners and communities.
Petra is quoted on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange under the ticker 'PDL'. The Company's loan notes, due in 2026, are listed on EuroNext Dublin (Irish Stock Exchange). For more information, visit www.petradiamonds.com.
Corporate and financial summary as at 30 September 20251
Unit | As at 30 September 2025 | As at 30 June 2025 | As at 31 March 2025 | As at 31 December 2024 | As at 30 September 2024 | |
Total cash at bank 3 | US$m | 46 | 49 | 36 | 52 | 47 |
Diamond debtors | US$m | 2 | 12 | 2 | - | - |
Diamond inventories 4 | US$m Carats | 44 468,733 | 30 328,689 | 31 397,182 | 27 346,037 | 84 826,857 |
2026 Loan Notes 5 | US$m | 233 | 226 | 231 | 225 | 245 |
Bank loans and borrowings 6 | US$m ZARm | 102 1,750 | 99 1,750 | 66 1,205 | 43 805 | 76 1,305 |
Consolidated Net Debt 7 | US$m | 287 | 264 | 258 | 215 | 273 |
Bank facilities undrawn and available 5 | US$m | - | - | 30 | 50 | 26 |
Notes:
- All figures exclude Williamson which, having been sold during FY 2025, was classified as a discontinued operation in our FY 2025 audited results
- The following exchange rates have been used for this announcement: average for 3M FY 2025 US$1: ZAR17.64 (FY 2025: US$1: ZAR18.15); closing rate as at 30 September 2025 US$1: ZAR17.25 (30 June 2025: US$1: ZAR17.75; 31 December 2024: US$1: ZAR18.85; and 30 June 2024: US$1: ZAR18.19).
- The Group's cash balances comprise unrestricted balances of US$27 million, and restricted balances of US$19 million.
- Recorded at the lower of cost and net realisable value.
- The 2026 Loan Notes, originally issued following the capital restructuring (the "Restructuring") completed during March 2021, have a carrying value of US$233 million which represents the outstanding principal amount of US$186 million plus US$48 million of capitalised (PIK) and accrued interest and is net of unamortised transaction costs of US$1 million.
- Bank loans and borrowings represent the Group's ZAR1.75 billion (US$102 million) revolving credit facility. As at 30 September 2025, the whole facility was drawn.
- Consolidated Net Debt is bank loans and borrowings plus loan notes, less cash and diamond debtors.
Mine-by-mine tables:
Cullinan Mine - South Africa
Unit | FY 2026 | FY 2025 | |||||
Q1 | Q4 | Var. | Q1 | Var. | 12 months | ||
Sales | |||||||
Revenue | US$m | 36 | 35 | +3% | 9 | n/a | 135 |
Diamonds sold | Carats | 278,968 | 481,690 | -42% | 19 | n/a | 1,416,351 |
Average price per carat | US$ | 130 | 73 | +78% | 450,928 | n/a | 96 |
| |||||||
ROM Production |
| ||||||
Tonnes treated | Tonnes | 959,257 | 1,094,268 | -12% | 1,089,570 | -12% | 4,292,080 |
Diamonds produced | Carats | 286,897 | 333,393 | -14% | 314,126 | -9% | 1,272,818 |
Grade 1 | Cpht | 29.9 | 30.5 | -2% | 28.8 | +4% | 29.7 |
| |||||||
Tailings Production |
| ||||||
Tonnes treated | Tonnes | 154,756 | 74,249 | +108% | 98,002 | +58% | 407,579 |
Diamonds produced | Carats | 43,586 | 20,270 | +115% | 48,847 | -11% | 180,190 |
Grade 1 | Cpht | 28.2 | 27.3 | +3% | 49.9 | -43% | 44.2 |
|
| ||||||
Total Production |
| ||||||
Tonnes treated | Tonnes | 1,114,013 | 1,168,517 | -5% | 1,187,572 | -6% | 4,699,659 |
Diamonds produced | Carats | 330,483 | 353,663 | -7% | 362,983 | -9% | 1,453,008 |
Note: 1.Petra is not able to precisely measure the ROM / tailings grade split because ore from both sources is processed through the same plant; the Company therefore back-calculates the grade with reference to resource grades.
Finsch - South Africa
Unit | FY 2026 | FY 2025 | |||||
Q1 | Q4 | Var. | Q1 | Var. | 12 months | ||
Sales | |||||||
Revenue | US$m | 15 | 14 | +7% | - | n/a | 70 |
Diamonds sold | Carats | 190,318 | 206,180 | -8% | - | n/a | 943,554 |
Average price per carat | US$ | 81 | 70 | +16% | - | n/a | 74 |
|
| ||||||
ROM Production |
|
| |||||
Tonnes treated | Tonnes | 628,552 | 597,495 | +5% | 477,267 | +32% | 2,192,994 |
Diamonds produced | Carats | 278,853 | 265,712 | +5% | 204,238 | +37% | 975,828 |
Grade | Cpht | 44.4 | 44.5 | 0% | 42.8 | 4% | 44.5 |



