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LONDON - Two Mozambican police officers were killed when approximately 40 illegal miners attacked a gate at Montepuez Ruby Mining (MRM) on Wednesday, according to a statement from Gemfields Group Limited (JSE:GML | AIM:GEM).
One of the slain officers was a commander of Mozambique’s Natural Resources Protection Force, the company said in a press release. No MRM employees or contractors were injured in the incident.
Gemfields, which owns 75% of MRM, reported that the attack may be connected to earlier events the same day when district immigration authorities investigated suspected illegal immigrants in a local village, during which an individual reportedly died.
The company also disclosed that in recent weeks, illegal miners have been sabotaging infrastructure supplying MRM’s new processing plant, which is in its final commissioning phase.
The mining operation is located on what Gemfields describes as one of the most significant recently discovered ruby deposits in the world.
Gemfields stated it continues to engage with appropriate Mozambican governmental authorities and remains committed to the safety and security of its employees, contractors and host communities.
The dual-listed mining company also operates Kagem Mining in Zambia and holds controlling interests in various gemstone mining and prospecting licenses across several African countries.
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