Maputo, June 5, 2025 (Lusa) - Ruby mining at MRM’s mine in Cabo Delgado has yielded €1.026 billion since 2012, of which €250 million has been handed over to the Mozambican state, according to data from Gemfields, which owns 75% of the company.
According to data up to last December from the “G Factor for Natural Resources” report (an indicator that reveals the percentage of revenue generated by natural resource companies that is paid to host country governments, whether through taxes, royalties, dividends or other payments) consulted today by Lusa, Montepuez Rubi Mining (MRM) had total revenues of US$117.2 million (€102.5 million) in 2024.
This report aims to promote transparency on the level of wealth of resources shared by Gemfields “with the governments of host countries” from the mining, oil, gas, timber and fishing sectors, and in the previous document, from 2023, it identified total revenues from that operation in northern Mozambique of US$151.3 million (€132.4 million).
Since Gemfields acquired 75% of MRM in February 2012, the year mining began, with ruby auctions starting two years later, that mine has accumulated revenues of over US$1.172 billion (€1.026 billion), paying the Mozambican state US$285.5 million (€250 million) over the same period.
Last year, MRM paid the Mozambican state US$28.1 million (€24.6 million) - almost half the US$53.2 million (€46.6 million) paid in 2023 - in royalties and taxes, according to the same report.
Montepuez Ruby Mining Limited (MRM) is a Mozambican company operating in the Montepuez ruby deposit, covering approximately 33,600 hectares.
“It is believed to be the most significant ruby deposit recently discovered in the world,” says the company, which claims to have created more than 1,400 jobs locally.
MRM is 75% owned by British gemstone miner and marketer, Gemfields, and 25% by Mwiriti Limited, a Mozambican company.
The mine resumed operations last January after work was halted following social unrest in the area in the wake of the general elections on October 9 in Mozambique.
According to the company, in the last week of 2024, “more than 200 people tried to invade” the MRM village, destroying and setting fire to several structures. In this escalation of violence, the intervention of the police and military forces ensuring security at the site led to the death of two people.
Some of the 500 people working in the area were displaced to other locations from December 26 onwards for security reasons, two days after activities at the mine were halted.
Previously, MRM also confirmed that during the same period, the neighbouring village of Wikupuri, built by the mining company, was attacked by alleged protesters, with looting and destruction.
Gemfields is a world leader in responsible mining and marketing of coloured gemstones and, in addition to MRM, is the operator and owner of 75% of the Kagem emerald mine in Zambia, billed as “the world’s largest emerald mine”, as well as bulk sampling licences in Ethiopia, among others.
“Gemfields’ responsibly mined gemstones are the preferred choice for pieces created by many world-renowned luxury houses and leading designers,” according to previous information from the company.
PVJ/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
