Wrap Text
Mining operations and auction update
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
ISIN: GG00BG0KTL52 | LEI: 21380017GAVXTCYS5R31
("Gemfields" or the "Company")
Mining operations and auction update
LONDON, 1 MARCH 2021
Gemfields Group Limited (“Gemfields”) hereby provides an update regarding its mining
operations and planned auction programme for the first half of 2021.
Mining operations
Gemfields is pleased to announce that both its 75% owned Kagem Mining Limited (“Kagem”)
emerald mine and 75% owned Montepuez Ruby Mining Limitada (“MRM”) ruby mine are set to
restart production in a phased manner during March 2021, with mining operations ramping up to
full-scale by the end of April 2021. It is expected that MRM’s treatment plant and sorting house -
which have already restarted - will reach full capacity by the end of March 2021, while the washing
plant at Kagem is projected to restart in mid-March 2021.
As a result of the assorted cash saving measures implemented by the Group in response to the
impact of Covid-19, all but critical operations at Kagem and MRM were suspended since 30 March
2020 and 22 April 2020, respectively.
Auction programme
Gemfields’ typical annual auction schedule consists of five to six auctions per year: two of mixed-
quality rubies and three to four of emeralds (split between higher quality and commercial quality).
In 2019, Gemfields’ six auctions accounted for 93% of total group revenue (approximately USD
200 million out of some USD 216 million) with USD 120 million of revenue derived from two
ruby auctions and USD 80 million derived from four emerald auctions.
Gemfields’ 2020 auction schedule was severely impacted by the many travel, quarantine and
congregating restrictions put in place internationally to mitigate Covid-19 contagion. The pandemic
has meant that no traditional Gemfields auctions have been held since February 2020, when USD
11.5 million was realised from the sale of commercial quality emeralds in Lusaka. The Company
subsequently conducted a series of sequential emerald mini-auctions, whereby bids were placed
online after multi-city, in-person viewings of the gemstones by customers in November and
December 2020, generating total revenues of USD 10.9 million (the “Interim Auction Model”).
In 2020 therefore, aggregate auction revenues were USD 22.4 million, a fall of USD 178.3 million
(or approximately 89%) when compared with 2019. There was no ruby revenue in 2020.
Due to the widespread ongoing restrictions arising from the pandemic, Gemfields will continue
with its Interim Auction Model in the near term in respect of both emeralds and rubies. Auctions
of emeralds and rubies, using the Interim Auction Model, are scheduled to commence on 15 March
2021. The series of 7 ruby auctions is expected to complete on 8 April 2021 and the series of 5
emerald auctions is expected to complete on 17 April 2021. As part of this programme, selected
lots are being made available for in-person and private viewings by customers in Bangkok, Dubai,
Jaipur, Singapore and Tel Aviv.
Subject to Covid-19 developments, the Company is hopeful that it will be able to return to a more
regular auction format during the fourth quarter of 2021.
Sean Gilbertson, CEO of Gemfields, commented:
“After a grisly 2020 for Gemfields, there is palpable excitement across our worldwide team at the
prospect of restarting production this month at our Kagem and MRM mines. With the world’s
largest emerald and ruby mines producing no gemstones for a year, we look forward to seeing the
supply and demand picture play out in 2021. No ruby auctions have been held since December
2019 and there has been no new ruby supply produced by MRM since April 2020, meaning the
forthcoming auctions represent an important offering for both mid-stream players and jewellers
seeking to secure inventory.
We would like to thank our 2,400 team members for their exceptional response to the Covid-19
pandemic. Their dedication, effort and countless sacrifices made, have ensured that Gemfields
could navigate the manifold challenges posed by the pandemic and is now well positioned for
recovery in 2021.”
-ENDS-
Gemfields Group Limited, Royal Chambers, St Julian’s Avenue, St Peter Port, GY1 4HP, Guernsey
T +44 (0)1481 731 554
Further information on Gemfields Group Limited can be found at:
GEMFIELDSGROUP.COM
To join our investor mailing list, contact us on:
companysecretary@gemfields.com
For any press enquiries please contact us on:
gemfields@camarco.co.uk
ENQUIRIES
GEMFIELDS Sean Gilbertson / David Lovett / Mark Lawrie
T: +44(0) 20 7518 3400
SPONSOR (JSE) Investec Bank Limited
SEDIBELO SALE PROCESS Liberum
Nehal Patel
T: +44(0) 20 3100 2222
NOMINATED ADVISER finnCap
(AIM) & JOINT BROKER
Christopher Raggett / Tim Redfern / Edward Whiley
T: +44(0) 20 7220 0500
JOINT BROKER Liberum
Clayton Bush / Scott Mathieson / Kane Collings
T: +44(0) 20 3100 2222
FINANCIAL PR/ IR Camarco
Gordon Poole / Nick Hennis
T: +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.
GEMFIELDS
GEMFIELDS.COM | INVESTORS |FOUNDATION
INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
FABERGÉ
FABERGÉ.COM | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
KAGEM MINING LINKEDIN
MONTEPUEZ RUBY MINING LINKEDIN
Date: 01-03-2021 09:00:00
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