London-headquartered Gemfields, which owns the Kagem emerald mine, in Zambia, and the Montepuez ruby mine, in Mozambique, has become the first gemstone company in the world to be recognised as a corporate member by the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPSHR). The principles are a globally recognised initiative by governments, companies and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) to confront human rights abuses and violations, and have become the common standard implemented across a variety of industries, guiding companies on how to conduct their security operations while at the same time respecting human rights.
