Gemfields Group Ltd said on Thursday it remained vigilant after a neighbouring ruby mine came under attack in the northern Cabo Delgado province in Mozambique this morning.

The London-headquartered gemstones supplier said the attack attributed to insurgent activity had been reported at the neighbouring ruby mine belonging to Gemrock, which lies about 12 kilometres south-east of its operations of Montepuez Ruby Mining Ltda.

Gemfields, which owns 75% in Montepuez Ruby Mining, said details of the attack were being verified.

In Cabo Delgado province in Mozambique, Islamist rebels have been carrying out attacks since 2017.

Montepuez Ruby Mining had initiated the process of evacuating operational employees and contractors, and mining operations at the site had ceased, Gemfields said.

‘Security personnel and Mozambique police force remain on site and Mozambique military are arriving on site,’ the company said.

‘Gemfields and MRM hold the health and safety of their employees and contractors as their highest priority and remain in regular contact with government authorities. We will keep the market updated of further developments,’ it added.

In London, Gemfields shares shed 11% to 15.10 pence on Thursday afternoon. They lost 7.4% to R 3.11 in Johannesburg.

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