De Beers Group CEO Philippe Mellier will undergo a planned medical procedure during the week of 10 November, a De Beers press release stated.

The note said that while Mellier is expected to resume work within days of the procedure, his doctor has advised him against long-haul travel for approximately one week before and one month following the procedure.  Hence all his trips originally planned for November 2014 have been re-scheduled for early 2015.

The CEO will, however, maintain routine communications with his executive team throughout De Beers' business units during this time.