Gemfields resumes Mozambique operations after nearby attack
Precious stone miner Gemfields Group has resumed operations at its mine in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, it said on Monday, after halting production last week when an attack was reported at a nearby facility.
An Islamic State-linked insurgency in the northern Cabo Delgado province has claimed thousands of lives since 2017, disrupting multibillion-dollar natural gas and mining projects.
Gemfields halted operations and evacuated non-security staff and contractors on Thursday after an attack attributed to insurgents was reported 12 km (7.46 miles) southeast of its Montepuez ruby mine in Cabo Delgado province.
“Key operational personnel have now returned … and basic operations have resumed,” Gemfields said in a statement.
Mozambican soldiers, who arrived at the mine on Thursday after the attack was reported, will remain at the site “for the foreseeable future”, the company added.
