Gemfields: Unrest could disrupt Mozambique ruby mine

According to Gemfields Group, disruptions were possible at its largest ruby mine in Mozambique, after people torched buildings in villages nearby in escalating unrest linked to October’s disputed election. Mozambique’s top court on Monday confirmed long-ruling party Frelimo’s victory in the election that has sparked protests by opposition groups that say the vote was rigged.

At least 130 people have been killed in clashes with police, according to the civil society monitoring group Plataforma Decide, and the operations of other foreign miners operating in Mozambique, including South32, have been affected.

Gemfields said in a statement that “groups associated with the illegal mining and trading of rubies have taken advantage of the political unrest”.

It said “instigators” had on Monday set fire to the police station in Namanhumbir, a village close to Gemfields’ Montepuez Ruby Mining Limitada (MRM) in the northern Cabo Delgado province. MRM is 75% owned by Gemfields and employs about 1,400 people.