Violence has again erupted around Gemfields’ Montepuez Ruby Mining (MRM) operation in northern Mozambique, underscoring a long-running conflict between the company, the state, and local residents. In its latest press release (see below), received here at the Roskin Report today, October 16th, Gemfields announced that a group of roughly 40 illegal miners attacked the mine’s entrance, killing two Mozambican police officers, one a commander of the Natural Resources Protection Force. Gemfields goes on to say that the site has since remained calm, though recent weeks have seen repeated sabotage of the new processing plant’s supply infrastructure.
These latest killings follow months of instability tied to post-election unrest and to continuing tension over land rights in Cabo Delgado province.
Political unrest, illegal mining, and long-standing grievances
continue to challenge Gemfields’ “responsible mining” narrative
in northern Mozambique.
Gary Roskin
Roskin Gem News Report
To be clear and neutral, MRM is legally leased to Gemfields through the Mozambican government, but it lies on land once worked by local artisanal miners. That displacement—combined with deep political and economic discontent—has fueled hostility toward the large-scale mining operation from the beginning.
The Lease
Gemfields and its local partner Mwiriti secured the Montepuez concession in 2011; Gemfields holds 75% of MRM under a 25-year liscence, with large-scale operations beginning in 2012. That legal structure remains in place today, yet resentment among local miners—many of whom once depended on this ground for their livelihood—has never fully subsided.
$12 Million in Taxes
Earlier this year, MRM temporarily halted production as violence once again spread after Mozambique’s disputed national elections. As we saw reported in Rapaport (March 2025) and MozTimes (July 2025), the company’s residential village was invaded and its vocational training center looted, prompting Gemfields to suspend operations until the situation stabilized. Even after reopening, Gemfields warned that “illegal incursions” and sabotage were hampering progress on its new processing plant. Despite those disruptions, the government collected about $12 million in taxes from ruby auctions this year—evidence of how heavily “state revenues” now depend on the mine’s output.
These recent events continue to illustrate the uneasy balance between foreign investment and local livelihood. Gemfields promotes Montepuez as a model for “responsible mining,” citing community projects and human-rights oversight introduced after its 2019 legal settlement with Mozambican villagers. And yes, this is all good.
Yet each new wave of violence shows that many citizens still view the mine not as opportunity, but as occupation—a reminder that without broader political reconciliation and credible economic participation, Mozambique’s rich ruby fields will remain a flashpoint rather than a foundation for stability.
🔹 Montepuez Ruby Mine — A Condensed Timeline at a Glance
2011 – Concession Granted
Gemfields and its local partner, Mwiriti Ltd., secure the Montepuez Ruby Mining licence in northern Mozambique. Gemfields holds 75% of the venture under a 25-year lease.
2012 – Operations Begin
Large-scale ruby mining commences, transforming what had been artisanal diggings into one of the world’s most productive ruby sources.
2017–2018 – Human-Rights Allegations
Reports surface of violence between security forces and artisanal miners. More than 100 Mozambicans file a legal claim in the U.K., alleging abuse by mine security.
2019 – Legal Settlement
Gemfields settles the case for GBP 5.8 million (USD 7.5 million) without admitting liability and establishes an independent grievance mechanism and community-development fund.
2024 – Political Unrest and Attacks
Following Mozambique’s disputed October elections, illegal miners and rioters invade mine housing and facilities. Two attackers are killed; Gemfields halts operations temporarily.
2025 – Continued Violence
In July, MRM again suspends mining amid post-election unrest. By October, illegal miners attack the mine gate, killing two police officers. Gemfields reports ongoing sabotage at its new processing plant.
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