Gemstone miner Gemfields has suspended all but critical operations at its Montepuez ruby mine (MRM), in Mozambique, as of April 22, with only security, maintenance and other essential services being rendered to ensure the mine can resume normal operations as soon as it is safe and practicable to do so.
The miner also reports an increase in illegal mining on the concession, as well as attacks on MRM’s security teams.
This has been exacerbated by the recent release of prisoners in the town of Montepuez, including about 150 illegal miners, as part of the government’s Covid-19 response relating to overcrowded prisons.