IN BRIEF (Page 16)

De Beers to resume output

De Beers, the world's largest diamond producer, said production at most of its operations in Botswana will resume today amid "steadily increasing sales" after output was suspended because of the global economic slowdown.

Production won't be restarted at its Damtshaa and Orapa No 2 operations that it runs in a joint venture with the Botswana government, the Johannesburg-based company said in an e-mailed response to queries yesterday. Overall production will decline about 40 percent this year, the company said.