Montepuez Rubi Mining (MRM), which operates the largest ruby mine in Mozambique, confirmed to Lusa on Tuesday that it has resumed activity, which had been interrupted since 24 December due to the post-election conflicts.
‘I can confirm that mining activity is underway and that the situation in the communities neighbouring the mine seems calm. We remain vigilant and hopeful for peace in Mozambique,’ an official source from Gemfields, which owns 75% of MRM, told Lusa.
The issue is the deterioration of security conditions in the area of the mine, in Cabo Delgado, northern Mozambique, in the last week of 2024, and on 24 December, the company detailed in a previous report, ‘more than 200 people tried to invade’ the MRM village, destroying and setting fire to several structures.
In this escalation of violence, the intervention of the police and military personnel to ensure that security was in place led to the deaths of two people on the spot.
Two days after the mine’s activities stopped, some of the 500 people working in the area were relocated to other sites on 26 December for security reasons.
Earlier, MRM also confirmed that during the same period, the neighbouring village of Wikupuri, built by the mining company, was attacked by alleged protesters, with looting and destruction.
Since 23 December, Mozambique has experienced a new phase of social tension following the announcement of the final results of the general elections on 9 October, marked by looting, vandalisation and barricades, particularly in Maputo.
The Constitutional Council proclaimed Daniel Chapo, the candidate supported by the ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frelimo), as the winner of the election for President of the Republic, with 65.17% of the votes, succeeding Filipe Nyusi in office, as well as the victory of Frelimo, which retained its parliamentary majority.
This announcement caused new chaos across the country, with pro-Venâncio Mondlane demonstrators – who only won 24% of the vote – in the streets, barricades, looting and clashes with the police, who have been firing shots in an attempt to demobilise them.
The mining of rubies at the MRM mine has brought in more than €1 billion since 2012, according to figures released at the end of April by Gemfields, which owns 75% of the company.
According to the ‘G Factor for Natural Resources’ report, which aims to promote transparency about the level of wealth from human resources shared by Gemfields ‘with the governments of host countries’ from the mining, oil, gas, timber and fishing sectors, MRM had a total income of $151.3 million (€145.1 million) in 2023.
Since Gemfields acquired 75% of MRM – in February 2012, the year mining began, with ruby auctions starting two years later – the mine has accumulated revenues of over $1.055 billion (€1.012 billion), paying the Mozambican state $257.4 million (€246.9 million) in the same period.
According to the same report, MRM paid the Mozambican state $53.2 million (€51 million) in royalties and taxes last year.
MRM is 75% owned by Gemfields and 25% by Mwiriti Limitada, a Mozambican company.
