Two Mozambican police officers, including a commander of the Natural Resources Protection Force, were killed on Wednesday after a group of about 40 illegal miners attacked the entrance gate of Montepuez Ruby Mining (MRM) in Cabo Delgado province.

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According to Gemfields, which holds a 75% stake in MRM, the incident occurred on October 15, 2025, when illegal miners marched on the mine’s main gate and assaulted officers stationed there. The company confirmed that no MRM employees or contractors were harmed, and that operations have since stabilised.

Authorities believe the attack may be linked to an earlier incident in a nearby village, where immigration officials were investigating suspected illegal immigrants and one person reportedly died.

Gemfields said MRM has recently faced escalating challenges from illegal mining activity, including sabotage targeting the mine’s newly commissioned processing plant. These incidents have disrupted operations and raised security concerns in the area.

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“MRM continues to engage with the relevant Mozambican authorities and remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of its employees, contractors, and host communities,” the company stated.

Montepuez Ruby Mining is one of the world’s largest ruby mines and plays a major role in Mozambique’s gemstone sector.