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COVID-19 Update: MRM & Corporate
GEMFIELDS GROUP LIMITED
(Incorporated in Guernsey)
(Guernsey registration Number: 47656)
(South African external company registration number 2009/012636/10)
Share code on JSE:GML / AIM:GEM / BSX:GML.BH
ISIN: GG00BG0KTL52 LEI: 21380017GAVXTCYS5R31
("Gemfields" or the "Company")
22 April 2020
COVID-19 Update: MRM & Corporate
The Company hereby provides a further update on mitigating actions taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The impact of COVID-19 continues to evolve rapidly and it is not yet possible to predict the full extent of the impact
on the Company’s operations and revenues. The wellbeing of Gemfields’ employees and host communities continues
to remain the Company’s overriding priority and to guide actions undertaken by the Company to navigate the months
ahead. The Company has implemented the following additional actions since the previous announcement relating to
COVID-19 and dated 30 March 2020:
Montepuez Ruby Mining, Mozambique
All but critical operations at the Montepuez Ruby Mine (“MRM”) in Mozambique have been suspended as of 22 April
2020. Security, maintenance and other essential services will continue in order to ensure that MRM is well placed to
resume normal operations as soon as it is safe and practicable to do so.
Given recent episodes of illegal mining activity on the concession, attacks on MRM’s security teams and the recent
release of prisoners in the town of Montepuez, including approximately 150 illegal miners, as part of the
government’s COVID-19 response relating to overcrowded prisons, MRM has introduced additional security
measures, increased the size of the security team and deployed patrol dogs. In addition, trained members of its
security service providers have been equipped with firearms in accordance with the Voluntary Principles on Security
and Human Rights.
The Group has suspended all expansionary capital expenditure at MRM for the foreseeable future. Planned
expenditure relating to the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) village will continue in keeping with the goal of achieving
occupation by July 2020.
As at 22 April 2020, MRM has access to USD 30 million of undrawn overdraft facilities.
UK & Corporate
On 16 April 2020, the UK Government extended the UK lockdown period for three weeks to 7 May 2020 in order to
mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The Company has implemented measures to progressively reduce costs to the
extent that the UK lockdown extends. With effect from 1 May 2020, and for so long as the UK lockdown measures
remain in place, all UK staff members, including the Board of Directors of the Company, will switch to a four day
working week and receive a 20% reduction in salary. Should the UK lockdown restrictions remain in effect after 31
May 2020, a three-day working week with a further 20% reduction in salary may become necessary.
At 17 April 2020, the Gemfields Group had cash balances of approximately USD 63.2 million, a net cash position of
approximately USD 33.2 million and undrawn overdraft facilities in Mozambique of USD 30 million.
Given the considerable level of uncertainty and to further preserve cash, the Company’s share buyback programme
has been suspended until further notice.
Gemfields’ current shares in issue as at 22 April 2020 is 1,168,756,030 ordinary shares. As such, this figure of
1,168,756,030 can be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they can determine
their percentage shareholding in the Company and whether or not they are required to notify their interest in, or a
change to their interest in, the Company under the FCA’s Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.
Further information on Gemfields Group Limited can be found at www.gemfieldsgroup.com
To join our press release mailing list, click here: gemfields@gemfields.com
For any press enquiries please contact us on gemfields@camarco.co.uk
Enquiries:
Gemfields Nominated Adviser and Broker (AIM)
Sean Gilbertson / David Lovett / Mark Lawrie finnCap
Tel: +44(0) 20 7518 3400 Christopher Raggett / Edward Whiley
Tel: +44(0) 20 7220 0500
Sponsor (JSE) IR / Financial PR
Investec Bank Limited Camarco
Gordon Poole / Jennifer Renwick / Nick Hennis
Tel: +44(0) 20 3757 4980
Additional information on Gemfields
Gemfields is a world-leading supplier of responsibly sourced coloured gemstones. Gemfields is the operator and 75%
owner of both the Kagem emerald mine in Zambia (believed to be the world’s single largest producing emerald mine)
and the Montepuez ruby mine in Mozambique (one of the most significant recently discovered ruby deposits in the
world). In addition, Gemfields also holds controlling interests in various other gemstone mining and prospecting
licenses in Zambia, Mozambique, Ethiopia and Madagascar.
Gemfields’ outright ownership of Fabergé - an iconic and prestigious brand of exceptional heritage - enables
Gemfields to optimise positioning, perception and consumer awareness of coloured gemstones, advancing the wider
group’s “mine and market” vision.
Gemfields has developed a proprietary grading system and a pioneering auction and trading platform to provide a
consistent supply of coloured gemstones to downstream markets, a key component of Gemfields’ business model
and has played an important role in the growth of the global coloured gemstone sector.
Date: 22-04-2020 08:00:00
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