Diamonds & Specialty Products

A global producer of diamonds with interests in potash and titanium minerals.

  • About Diamonds & Specialty Products

    Our principal activities are the project development and mining of diamonds and potash.

    The cornerstone of BHP Billiton’s diamond business is EKATI Diamond Mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories. Annual sales from EKATI (including the 20 per cent minority share) represent around three per cent of current world rough diamond supply by weight and 11 per cent by value. Most of our rough diamonds are sold to international diamond buyers through our Antwerp sales office.

    Our interest in potash is via development projects in highly prospective exploration ground largely within the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. Potash is a globally traded commodity primarily used as a fertiliser. We have exploration rights to over 14,000km2 of highly prospective ground in the Saskatchewan potash basin.

    We have an interest in titanium minerals mined from Richards Bay in South Africa and include titania slag, high-purity pig iron, rutile and zircon.

  • Leadership

    Tim Cutt, President, Diamonds and Specialty Products 

    Tim was appointed President, Diamonds and Specialty Products in June 2011.  Prior to this role, Tim was the President, Production in BHP Billiton's Petroleum business, a position he held since joining the company in 2007.  His career in the resources industry began with Mobil Oil Corporation where he held positions in engineering, operations and senior management. He served almost 25 years with Mobil and then ExxonMobil, including as President of ExxonMobil de Venezuela.

    Tim is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University with a Bachelor's Degree in Petroleum Engineering.

  • Assets

    EKATI

    EKATI Diamond Mine is located in Canada’s Northwest Territories. The mine – 80 per cent owned by BHP Billiton – includes open pit and underground operations. 

    Richards Bay Minerals

    Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) is a 37.76 per cent owned heavy mineral sands mine and smelter situated in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. RBM is a major producer of titania slag, high purity pig iron, rutile and zircon.

    Potash development projects

    BHP Billiton has exploration rights to highly prospective land in the Saskatchewan potash basin. The Jansen Project, the most advanced of our projects, has the potential to become one of the world’s premier potash mines and the platform for a significant and scalable potash business for BHP Billiton.