Construction of Gemfields’ Montepuez ruby mine nears completion

The construction of British coloured gemstones miner Gemfields Group Limited’s Montepuez ruby mine’s second processing plant (PP2) in Mozambique, designed to triple the mine’s ore processing capacity from 200tph to 600tph, is 95% complete and materially on budget. The Montepuez team and the principal contractor, Consulmet (Africa) Limited, had to navigate challenging circumstances experienced in the north of Mozambique during the 22 months since the project was first announced.

While the plant is expected to produce its first rubies in August, its completion is expected in September, including the tailings belt conveyor and decanter centrifuge. Completion has been delayed as a result of, among other things, difficulties in obtaining the requisite work permits, particularly about specialist electrical component installation, including the SCADA controls necessary to operate PP2, transport difficulties including about a key transformer which had been damaged during transit, as well as security and operational issues arising from high levels of illegal miner incursions.