A jihadist attack at a neighbouring mine has prompted precious gem miner Gemfields Group to stop operations at its Montepuez Ruby Mine (MRM) in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, the company has said.
In a statement late Thursday, Gemfields said the attack “attributed to insurgent activity” took place at a ruby mine belonging to Gemrock, which lies about 12 kilometres south-east of its own Montepuez operations.
“MRM has initiated the process of evacuating operational employees and contractors, and, therefore, mining operations at the site have ceased,” the statement said.
It added that security personnel and Mozambique police officers “remain on site and Mozambique military are arriving on site.”
The ruby and emerald miner announced earlier this month that it was closely monitoring an increase in security threats.
In June attacks occurred near Ancuabe, also in Cabo Delgado, but some 65 kilometres “east-north-east” of MRM.
Cabo Delgado province has seen an Islamic State-linked insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives since 2017.
JN/APA