As reported by National Jeweler, the miner confirmed via email that operations are “running at full capacity and the situation in the communities surrounding the mine appears calm.”
Gemfields announced it was temporarily suspending operations at Montepuez on 24 December, citing a ‘staged attempted invasion’ of the mine, with around 200 people reportedly starting fires in local buildings. During the conflict, two people were shot and later died.
The company said the unrest was associated with Mozambique’s contested presidential election in October, as well as illegal ruby mining operations.
“Mozambique's top court on Monday confirmed long-ruling party Frelimo's victory in the election that has sparked protests by opposition groups that say the vote was rigged,” a report from Reuters details.
“At least 130 people have been killed in clashes with police, according to the civil society monitoring group Plataforma Decide, and the operations of other foreign miners operating in Mozambique, including South32, have been affected.”
Gemfields owns the Montepuez mine in partnership with local company Mwiriti Limitada.
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