July 20 (Reuters) - Precious gem producer Gemfields
on Wednesday reported an attack close to its ruby mine in Mozambique's northern Cabo Delgado province, but said operations had not been halted.
An Islamic State-linked insurgency in Cabo Delgado
has claimed thousands of lives since it broke out in 2017, disrupting multi-billion-dollar natural gas and mining projects.
Gemfields, whose 75%-owned Montepuez Ruby Mining Limitada
(MRM) produced 83,990 carats of premium rubies in 2021 and has generated $827.1 million in sales
since 2014, said the attack took place on July 13.
"The attack reportedly took place in the Muaja village area, which is some 30 kilometres (18.64 miles) by road from MRM. A large number of people are reportedly relocating to Nanhupo and Namanhumbir, where the mining operations are located," Gemfields
said in a statement.
The attack was closer to the mine than previous incidents, the
company said, adding that operations had not been halted, but continued with "increased vigilance".
Attacks have impacted other mining firms in the region recently.
In June, Australia-listed Triton Minerals reported an attack on its Ancuabe graphite project site,
while Syrah Resources briefly suspended logistics and
personnel movement after attacks close to its primary transport route.
Non-governmental organisations and Mozambican media monitoring the insurgency last week reported a westward push by the insurgents, who were reported to
have beheaded two men working the fields outside Muaja, less than 10 kilometres
from the district border with Montepuez.
Southern African countries, who along with Rwanda sent
troops to Mozambique last year to help quell the insurgency, last week agreed to extend their deployment for
another month.
(Reporting by Nelson Banya, Editing by Helen Reid and
Louise Heavens)
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pb.lib.berkeley.edu/xtf/servlet/org.cdli...k=https://xporno.cfd
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