Editor’s Note
This article describes a dangerous incident in Mozambique where misinformation on social media led hundreds to storm a ruby mine, resulting in confrontations. It serves as a stark reminder of the real-world consequences of false information circulating online.
In Mozambique, hundreds of people believed they could access a ruby mine due to a message circulating on social media. However, the situation on the ground turned out differently. Confrontations ensued. The mine operators have a suspicion about who might be behind the entire incident.
As a result of a disinformation campaign, hundreds of people illegally entered a ruby mine in southeastern Mozambique. The mine management stated in a release that they had been falsely informed via social media that the Montepuez Ruby Mine (MRM) in the northern Cabo Delgado province would be freely accessible for 24 hours.
The mine’s security personnel, in cooperation with police forces, attempted to expel the intruders from the mining area. Violent clashes occurred during this operation, resulting in two people being shot, according to MRM.
It initially remained unclear who was behind the disinformation campaign. According to MRM, it could be an action by smuggling syndicates aiming to use the orchestrated chaos to illegally steal gemstones from the mine. The Montepuez Ruby Mine is considered one of the most significant ruby deposits in the world, according to the British mining company Gemfields, the main owner of MRM.