Two Police Officers Killed in Attack Near Gemfields’ Montepuez Ruby Mine in Mozambique
Gemfields confirms deaths of two police officers following illegal miner attack at Montepuez Ruby Mine in Mozambique
Gemstone miner Gemfields has confirmed the deaths of two police officers during an attack earlier last week at its Montepuez Ruby Mining (MRM) operation in Mozambique.
According to the company, approximately 40 illegal miners marched on the mine’s gate and attacked police officers stationed at the site. Two officers were killed in the incident, including a commander from Mozambique’s Natural Resources Protection Force.
Gemfields stated that no MRM employees or contractors were injured, and that conditions at the mine have remained stable and calm since the attack.
In recent weeks, operations at MRM’s new processing plant, which is in its final commissioning phase, have been disrupted by illegal mining activity. The company said that some of these groups have sabotaged plant supply infrastructure, impacting production readiness.
Gemfields emphasized that both it and MRM are continuing to work closely with Mozambican authorities and remain committed to ensuring the safety and security of employees, contractors, and surrounding communities.
The latest incident follows a similar tragedy last month at Kenmare Resources’ Moma titanium minerals mine, also in Mozambique, where a police officer on guard duty was killed in what appeared to be a cable theft-related attack.
Gemfields’ Montepuez Ruby Mine is one of the world’s largest sources of rubies, located in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, a region that has seen periodic unrest linked to illegal mining and security challenges.
