Montepuez Ruby Mining (MRM) warned this week of the increased dangers of illegal mining, following an incident on 18 March at its concession in Namanhumbir, Cabo Delgado province, which resulted in the bullet wounding of an illegal miner during a confrontation with a patrol from the Mozambique Armed Defence Forces (FADM).
According to a statement released by the company, the incident took place at around 10.40am, when a large group of illegal miners was identified operating within the area concessioned to MRM. According to the same document, the individuals advanced in a hostile manner against a FADM patrol team, which led to shots being fired and one of the miners being hit in the lower limb.
The wounded man, a 29-year-old male from the district of Mogolovas in Nampula province and resident in the village of Nanuni, was immediately treated at the MRM clinic and then transferred to Montepuez District Hospital, where he received further medical treatment.
MRM says that it runs an ongoing awareness-raising programme with neighbouring communities, often used as temporary refuge by illegal miners, to warn them of the human, legal and environmental risks inherent in clandestine mining.
The company also says that this incident has been reported to the district, provincial and national authorities, with the expectation that more effective and coordinated measures will be taken against those who finance, facilitate or encourage the illicit trade in rubies.
The MRM emphasises that such practices seriously harm the Mozambican state, not only through the loss of human lives, but also through the evasion of tax revenues that are essential for national development.
With a concession covering approximately 33,600 hectares, MRM is one of the main ruby explorers in Mozambique. The company reaffirms its commitment to strengthening community security, protecting the rule of law and the sustainable development of Cabo Delgado province.
