Gemfields resumes ruby mining in Mozambique
Gemfields has resumed full mining operations at its Montepuez ruby mine in Mozambique following a temporary suspension due to security concerns. The company halted activities on December 24, 2024, after a violent incident involving over 200 individuals attempting to invade the mining site.
During the staged invasion, the group set fire to buildings, including a community cash point. Mozambican police and military forces intervened with a measured escalation of force, leading to two fatalities among the attackers. Concurrently, property in the nearby village of Wikupuri was looted, and equipment from the mine’s vocational training center intended for local farmers was stolen.
Gemfields, which co-owns the Montepuez mine with Mwiriti Limitada, relocated some staff to safer locations as a precaution. However, the company began a phased return to normal operations on December 26, and as of January 2025, mining activities have resumed at full capacity.
Global leader in ruby supply
The situation in surrounding communities has reportedly stabilized, though Gemfields emphasized its continued vigilance. The company expressed hope for lasting peace in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, where the mine is located. Cabo Delgado has been a hotspot for unrest, often linked to illegal mining and trading activities.
Mozambique is a leading global supplier of rubies. Montepuez ruby mine is a critical operation for Gemfields and one of the world’s largest ruby mines, making the resumption of operations a significant development for the company and Mozambique’s gemstone industry.
Rubies have been found in Mozambique since the 1500s, but mining didn’t begin until after Mozambique’s independence from Portugal in 1975. The discovery of the Montepuez ruby deposit in 2009 marked a turning point in the country’s ruby industry.
