Gemfields Group Limited, a coloured gemstone miner, has announced a series of strategic actions to cut costs and streamline its business in response to four key challenges.
The company’s most recent emerald and ruby auctions yielded lower revenues than expected due to an oversupply of Zambian emeralds at discounted prices, lower production of premium rubies, a weaker luxury market, and civil unrest in Mozambique.
To address these challenges, Gemfields is suspending mining for up to six months at Kagem Mining Limited, its emerald mine in Zambia. It is also halting non-essential spending and planned capital expenditure at its ruby development projects in Mozambique. Gemfields is putting its Nairoto gold project up for sale and assessing strategic options for Fabergé, the luxury brand it owns. The company is implementing targeted rationalisation across its operations.
Gemfields is confident that these measures are temporary and will allow it to navigate the current market conditions. The company remains focused on the completion of its second ruby processing plant at Montepuez Ruby Mining Limitada, which is expected to be completed by the end of the first half of 2025.