Editor’s Note
This report details a fatal incident at a ruby mining concession in Mozambique, highlighting the ongoing tensions surrounding resource extraction in the region.
At least three people lost their lives on Wednesday during clashes between civilians and members of the Mozambican Police (PRM) who were ensuring security for the ruby mining area operated by the London-based company Gemfields in Montepuez district, in the northern province of Cabo Delgado.
Gemfields owns 75 per cent of Montepuez Ruby Mining (MRM), the main ruby mining company in Mozambique.
According to local reports, the violence erupted when a young local miner was allegedly shot dead by police officers in Ntseue village. In response, village residents transported the miner’s body to the MRM offices, protesting what they described as abuse and recurrent violence by the security forces.
The victims’ bodies were later transported in the company’s ambulance to the morgue at Montepuez District Hospital.
Tomé Patrício, head of Muaja village, confirmed the case and denounced the worsening violence in the region between local residents and police officers.
So far, there has been no official statement from the PRM or MRM regarding the incident. The case raises concerns about the tense relations between local communities and security forces associated with mining in Montepuez, where several similar incidents have been reported in recent years.