Gemfields Group Ltd said on Monday its operations in the northern Cabo Delgado province in Mozambique have resumed after militants raided its neighbouring ruby mine last week.

The attack linked to insurgent activity was reported on Thursday last week at the neighbouring ruby mine belonging to Gemrock, which lies about 12 kilometres south-east of the operations of Montepuez Ruby Mining Ltda, in which Gemfields owns 75%.

After this attack, Montepuez Ruby Mining started evacuating employees and contractors. Mining operations at the site had ceased.

On Monday, the London-headquartered gemstones supplier said key operating personnel now had returned to its mine, and basic operations had resumed.

Mining and processing activities are being resumed in phases after giving due consideration to perceptions of threat in the licence area, the company said.

Montepuez Ruby Mining remains on a state of high alert and in regular contact with Mozambican government authorities, Gemfields said. The Mozambique police force remain on site at Montepuez Ruby Mining and will maintain a presence for the foreseeable future.

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

Gemfields shares were untraded at R 3.10 in Johannesburg early Monday. They were untraded in London at 15.00 pence.

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