Maputo, April 09, 2026 (Lusa) - Mozambique's ruby production jumped 29% in 2025, exceeding 5 million carats (ct), official budget data from the mineral resources and energy ministry shows.
Data show production rose to over 5 million ct last year from around 4.1 million in 2024. Production also grew in 2024 from nearly 4 million ct in 2023.
"Regarding rubies, the most significant mineral in the gemstone group, production saw exponential growth, with an achievement rate of 123% and growth of 29% compared to 2024, resulting from good performance by mining companies and increased international market demand," the document says.
The 2025 performance will likely lead to an upward revision of the 3% growth estimate the government predicted for 2026 production, as the total has already exceeded the target.
In this year’s budget forecasts, the government expected production of nearly 4.1 million ct.
"This forecast follows the suspension of production activities by the third-largest ruby mining company," the finance ministry’s budget forecast document says.
About 70% of production is for export, which the government aims to increase to 79% by 2029.
Ruby export revenues fell 30% in the first quarter of 2025 to $5.1 million (€4.4 million), according to previous Mozambique central bank data. This compares with $7.2 million (€6.2 million) between January and March 2024.
Despite the production increase, Montepuez Ruby Mining (MRM), the country's largest miner, asked authorities in January for "proactive measures" against those who "finance, facilitate and encourage illegal ruby trading". The request followed a fatal incident involving illegal miners who invaded the concession in the northern province of Cabo Delgado.
Gemfields, which leads MRM, said on 7 October it had postponed the ruby auction from the Montepuez mine until 2026. It cited the impact of daily "sabotage" by hundreds of illegal miners at a new processing plant under construction.
The company said it "decided to postpone the usual November/December ruby auction to January/February" due to delays in the definitive start of the second processing plant.
MRM explained that although definitive operation was planned for October, illegal miners significantly affected the new plant in late September. Between 250 and 400 miners a day sabotaged the plant's supply infrastructure.
PVJ/LYT // AYLS
Lusa
