The district court of Montepuez, Cabo Delgado, sentenced two citizens, Mbonda Macesse and Manuel Pedro, to four years in prison for illegal mining within the concession area of Montepuez Ruby Mining (MRM), in the Namanhumbir region.

An MRM memo considers that the judicial authorities are taking the issue of garimpo seriously, given the damage to the national economy and the local social fabric.

"MRM will continue to work closely with the authorities to ensure that those caught engaging in illegal ruby mining on its concession are dealt with in accordance with the law," a company source said.

The mining company is concerned about the increasing number of incidents, attacks and fatalities involving miners in its concession.

"The unsafe practices of illegal miners, who are usually supervised or coerced by illegal gemstone smuggling syndicates financed by foreign traders operating in the region, continue to result in the loss of life," the document states.