Attacks prompt evacuation at Mozambique ruby mine

A mining company has evacuated its workers following attacks by Islamist militants at a neighbouring mine in Mozambique's troubled Cabo Delgado province.

The Thursday morning attack saw several families move to Montepuez town.

Montepuez Ruby Mining (MRM) evacuated all its employees and contractors to the town, local media report. Only employees thought to be essential to operations were left on site.

A local radio station reported that security forces were already in the area.

Montepuez Ruby Mining is extracting rubies from one of the largest deposits of rubies in the world.

In 2009 a vast deposit of rubies was discovered in northern Mozambique and now half the world's red gemstones come from there.

This article originally appeared in BBC News

Photo: AFP