Gemfields Cautiously Restarts Mine Following Insurgency

RAPAPORT... Gemfields will resume basic mining operations at its Montepuez ruby deposit in Mozambique following an evacuation due to a rebel attack at a neighboring site.Key personnel have returned to the site and all mining and processing will be restarted in phases as the company assesses the threat in each license area, it said Tuesday. Security workers and the Mozambique police have been stationed at the mine since Thursday, when the incident occurred at a neighboring deposit belonging to Gemstar, located 12 kilometers away. Later that day, the military arrived. All three will remain at Montepuez for the foreseeable future, Gemfields said."Gemfields holds the health and safety of their employees and contractors as their highest priority," the company said. "[We] remain in a state of high alert and maintain regular dialogue with government authorities."Image: Rubies from the Montepuez mine in Mozambique. (Gemfields)