SourcingDec 24, 2024
Gemfields to Temporarily Suspend Emerald MiningSourcingJan 02, 2025
Gemfields Resumes Ruby Mining in Mozambique
The miner temporarily halted operations on Dec. 24 following an invasion at the mine.
On Dec. 24, Gemfields temporarily shut down operations at its Montepuez ruby mine in Mozambique after two days of violence near and on the premises.
London—Gemfields said it has resumed mining at its Montepuez ruby mine in Mozambique after temporarily suspending operations in the wake of attacks by groups it said are associated with the illegal ruby mining and trading.
In an email to National Jeweler on Jan. 2, the mining company confirmed that mining activity is “running at full capacity and the situation in the communities surrounding the mine appears calm.”
Gemfields added, “We remain vigilant and hopeful for peace in Mozambique.”
On Dec. 24, Gemfields said it was temporarily suspending operations at Montepuez, which it owns in partnership with local company Mwiriti Limitada.
Montepuez is the largest of several operations Gemfields has in Mozambique’s northernmost province, Cabo Delgado.
Gemfields said there was a “staged attempted invasion” on the mine’s village, with a group of more than 200 individuals setting fire to buildings, including a community cash point.
Mozambican police and military protected the area using a “staged escalation of force,” Gemfields said, and two in the invading group were shot and later died in the hospital.
Also on Dec. 24, property in the nearby village of Wikupuri was looted and damaged.
Individuals targeted the mine’s vocational training center, taking farming equipment provided by the mine for distribution to more than 800 local farmers.
The mining company said it relocated some of its personnel to offsite locations but began a phased return Dec. 26.
Related stories will be right here …
In an email to National Jeweler on Jan. 2, the mining company confirmed that mining activity is “running at full capacity and the situation in the communities surrounding the mine appears calm.”
Gemfields added, “We remain vigilant and hopeful for peace in Mozambique.”
On Dec. 24, Gemfields said it was temporarily suspending operations at Montepuez, which it owns in partnership with local company Mwiriti Limitada.
Montepuez is the largest of several operations Gemfields has in Mozambique’s northernmost province, Cabo Delgado.
Gemfields said there was a “staged attempted invasion” on the mine’s village, with a group of more than 200 individuals setting fire to buildings, including a community cash point.
Mozambican police and military protected the area using a “staged escalation of force,” Gemfields said, and two in the invading group were shot and later died in the hospital.
Also on Dec. 24, property in the nearby village of Wikupuri was looted and damaged.
Individuals targeted the mine’s vocational training center, taking farming equipment provided by the mine for distribution to more than 800 local farmers.
The mining company said it relocated some of its personnel to offsite locations but began a phased return Dec. 26.
Gemfields said the groups executing the attacks are “associated with illegal ruby mining” and are looking to take advantage of the political unrest rising throughout Mozambique as a result of the country’s contested presidential election, which took place in October.
Until Dec. 24, when it first mentioned possible disruptions at Montepuez due to the conflict, the mining company had maintained that it was aware of the situation, but operations had not been affected.
However, the turmoil in the East Africa nation was exacerbated on Dec. 23, when the Mozambican Constitutional Council upheld the election results in favor of the candidate for the long-governing party, the Frelimo Party’s Daniel Chapo, who is accused of rigging the election.
The top opposition candidate, Venancio Mondlane, has declared himself the actual winner of the election and has called on Mozambicans to shut down the country, according to The New York Times, leading to protests nationwide.
Agência de Informação de Moçambique (AIM), a local news source, said Mondlane “demanded an end to all mining” until Jan. 15, the date of the presidential inauguration ceremony.
On the day of the constitutional council’s ruling, Gemfields said a group of individuals targeted Namanhumbir, the village immediately adjacent to mine’s village, setting fire to the police station, as well as the mine’s Operational Grievance Mechanism, the community center, and the community radio center.
In the village of Nanune, the water supply was cut off and in Wikupuri, instigators set fire to the police station, the police commander’s home, and the administrative offices of the Namanhumbir district.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
AuctionsSep 17, 2025
Mythical Set of Patek Philippe Pocket Watches Expected to Sell for $10M+A set of four Patek Philippe “Star Caliber 2000” pocket watches is part of Sotheby’s upcoming auction in Abu Dhabi.
TrendsSep 17, 2025
Silvia Furmanovich’s Book Tells the ‘Journey of a Jeweler’The Brazilian jeweler’s latest book marks her namesake brand’s 25th anniversary and tells the tale of her worldwide collaborations.
WatchesSep 17, 2025
Bob’s Watches Acquires Vintage Rolex Won on ‘The Price is Right’ The Submariner Ref. 1680 with a Tiffany & Co. dial came from the original owner, who won it as a prize on the game show in the 1970s.
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment ProgramWith their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.
TechnologySep 17, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Launches Shipping Solution App for Shopify The new integration allows users to manage shipments directly from the Shopify dashboard.
Weekly QuizSep 12, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsSep 16, 2025
Out & About: 7 Great Quotes From Converge in CarlsbadAt Converge 2025, Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff attended sessions on DEI, tariffs, security, and more. Here are her top takeaways.
CrimeSep 16, 2025
2 Robbery Suspects Killed in California Pawn Shop ShootoutSix people were shot last week at an Oakland cash-for-gold shop as employees exchanged gunfire with individuals trying to rob the store.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
CollectionsSep 16, 2025
Chopard Adds New Designs to Its ‘Ice Cube’ Capsule CollectionThe jeweler has expanded its high jewelry offering, which launched last year, with new pieces featuring its cube motif that debuted in 1999.
EditorsSep 15, 2025
Skipping the Necklace, Embracing Snakes: The Best Jewelry From the 2025 Emmy AwardsAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco shares eight of her favorite jewelry looks from the 77th annual Primetime Emmy Awards, held Sunday night.
SurveysSep 15, 2025
Resilient Shoppers to Boost Holiday Retail Sales, Says DeloitteIt’s predicting a rise in retail sales this holiday season despite economic uncertainty and elevated inflation.
SourcingSep 15, 2025
AGTA Elects 8 Members to Board of Directors The newly elected directors will officially take office in February 2026 and will be introduced at the organization’s membership meeting.
EditorsSep 12, 2025
Out & About: Mining Sapphires in Rock Creek, MontanaAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore headed out West for a visit to Potentate Mining’s operation hosted by gemstone wholesaler Parlé Gems.
TrendsSep 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Arunashi’s Fordite and Rhodolite EarringsFordite is a man-made material created from the layers of dried enamel paint that dripped onto the floors of automotive factories.
Events & AwardsSep 12, 2025
Al Gilbertson Wins 2025 Robert M. Shipley AwardGilbertson has worked as a researcher, jeweler, lapidary artist, appraiser, and business owner throughout his decades in the industry.
Policies & IssuesSep 11, 2025
Supreme Court to Hear Tariffs Case in November A decision likely won’t come until January 2026 at the earliest, and the tariffs remain in effect until then.
MajorsSep 11, 2025
Tabayer Opens Nordstrom Shop-In-ShopLocated in the revamped jewelry hall at the retailer’s New York City flagship, this opening is Tabayer’s first shop-in-shop.
SourcingSep 11, 2025
Need to Sell More Natural Diamonds? De Beers Has an App for ThatThe new, free app offers accessible educational content, like games and podcasts, for U.S. retailers.
MajorsSep 10, 2025
Stuller to Swap Gold Scrap for Full Credit to AccountAs the gold price rises, the manufacturer is offering a 100 percent payout through Sept. 30 for gold clean scrap.
SourcingSep 10, 2025
Tech Meets Style in the New Loewe x Jacob & Co. HeadphonesJacob & Co. partnered with the German technology company on two pairs of headphones, one set with diamonds and the other with sapphires.
TrendsSep 10, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Archival Jewels Bring Life to ‘Frankenstein’Guillermo del Toro’s 2025 “Frankenstein” will feature 27 jewels and objects from the storied brand, including pieces from its archives.
MajorsSep 10, 2025
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf AstoriaThe Waldorf Astoria New York’s grand reopening this past summer means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event.
SourcingSep 09, 2025
Anglo American to Merge With Canadian Copper Miner Anglo plans to merge with Teck Resources Ltd. to form Anglo Teck. The deal changes nothing about its plans to offload De Beers.
AuctionsSep 09, 2025
‘The Mellon Blue’ to Return to Auction, This Time at Christie’s The 9.51-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, which set two world auction records at Sotheby’s in 2014, is estimated to fetch up to $30 million.
AuctionsSep 09, 2025
Phillips Names Dianne Batista Head of Jewels, New YorkThe industry veteran joins the auction house as it looks to solidify its footprint in the jewelry market.
MajorsSep 09, 2025
MJSA Education Foundation Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersThe nonprofit awarded four students pursuing a professional career in jewelry making and design with $2,250 each.
IndependentsSep 08, 2025
Take a Look Inside the New Korman Store in AustinThe Texas-based jeweler has also undergone a brand refresh, debuting a new website and logo.
