Mozambique projects a 5% increase in ruby production in 2025, expecting to extract over 4.1 million carats. This follows a dramatic 46% surge in 2024, where production rose to nearly four million carats—significantly surpassing the Government’s initial target.
The growth is largely driven by the expansion of processing capacity at SLR Mining and the resumption of operations at Moza Minerals, alongside intensive excavation by Montepuez Ruby Mining (MRM) in newly identified high-yield blocks.
Rubies now dominate Mozambique’s gemstone sector, representing 76% of total precious and semi-precious stone output. The ruby-rich Cabo Delgado region, where the MRM mine is based, has generated nearly €1 billion in revenue since 2012. MRM, majority-owned by UK-based Gemfields, contributed over US$53 million in taxes and royalties to the Mozambican government in 2023 alone, underscoring the mineral’s significant role in national economic performance and foreign exchange earnings.
Despite previous fluctuations—such as the dip in production to 2.7 million carats in 2023—the sector has rebounded strongly, backed by enhanced infrastructure and operational capacity. The government is also intensifying efforts to ensure transparency and fair distribution of resource wealth through initiatives like the “G Factor for Natural Resources,” aimed at holding mining firms accountable while securing benefits for local communities and the state.