From a recent news release by Harry Winston Diamond Corp.

-- a new operating plan for the Diavik diamond mine in Canada's Far North would see a winter shutdown cancelled and 2010 delivery ramped up to 7.5 million carats of diamonds or more.

“Since the market has improved substantially and consistently since the beginning of the first quarter, there is now a new mine plan under consideration,” chairman and chief executive officer Robert Gannicott said on a conference call Friday.

Diavik, Canada's second producing diamond mine, is back to full production after a summer shutdown, and Mr. Gannicott said a winter shutdown planned from Dec. 1 to Jan. 11 could be cancelled.

If the new mine plan is implemented and production is increased to 7.5 million carats, this would represent a 28 per cent increase from forecast 2009 calendar-year production of 5.4 million carats.

Mr. Gannicott said the consideration of a new operating plan for Diavik is in response to a marked improvement in diamond sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2010.

“Our July rough diamond sale realized price is a full 50 per cent higher than those seen in March, [showing] that the diamond pipeline regained its poise after the near collapse of the previous six months,” he said.

He added strong demand from Asia and India has boosted prices and sales, although it hasn't been enough to make up for the slump in the United States.