African mining, De Beers, BEE – Oppenheimer speaks out

"While a large number of countries around the world continue to talk about securing raw material supply, China is actually doing something about it."

Gemfields said in a statement that "groups associated with the illegal mining and trading of rubies have taken advantage of the political unrest".

Nigeria has lifted a ban on mining exploration in the northwestern state after a five-year suspension.

The project is 6 miles from Africa’s largest copper mining complex, the Kansanshi mine held by First Quantum Minerals.