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Gemfields says discontent might disrupt Mozambique ruby mine

Gemfields Group said on Tuesday disturbances were possible at its largest ruby mine in Mozambique, after individuals torched structures in villages close by in intensifying discontent connected to October's. contested election.

Mozambique's leading court on Monday confirmed long-ruling celebration. Frelimo's success in the election that has triggered protests by. opposition groups that state the vote was rigged.

A minimum of 130 people have actually been killed in clashes with authorities,. according to the civil society tracking group Plataforma. Choose, and the operations of other foreign miners running in. Mozambique, including South32, have been affected.

Gemfields said in a declaration that groups connected with. the prohibited mining and trading of rubies have actually made the most of. the political discontent.

It stated instigators had on Monday set fire to the cops. station in Namanhumbir, a village near Gemfields' Montepuez. Ruby Mining Limitada (MRM) in the northern Cabo Delgado. province.

An MRM workplace, a neighborhood centre and a neighborhood radio. centre developed by the company in Namanhumbir were also set ablaze.

Based upon the trajectory of the continuous situation, there may. be interruptions to MRM's mining operations resulting from this. unrest, Gemfields said.

In another town near MRM's operations, a water borehole. was screwed up, and in a 3rd town individuals torched the authorities. station, the home of a regional cops leader and the. administrative workplaces of Namanhumbir district.

MRM is 75% owned by Gemfields and utilizes about 1,400. individuals, the business's site says.

Frelimo has actually been consistently accused by challengers and. election observers of rigging votes, although it has actually rejected. those accusations. The electoral commission has actually not commented on. claims of fraud in this year's election.

(source: Reuters)