The bodies of two security guards beheaded by insurgents at the Grafex mining site in Ancuabe, Cabo Delgado, on 8 June were finally recovered last night, 16 June. On Friday morning, 17 June, Syrah Resources announced its own graphite mining project in Balama would resume the logistical operations that it had suspended in response to the attack.
After insurgents attacked the Grafex mining site and killed two security guards, the company was unable to reach the site for over a week as the security forces did not provide an armed escort, according to a local source. Triton Minerals, the Australian owner of Grafex, confirmed to Zitamar that the bodies were recovered on the night of 16 June.
Syrah Resources, another Australian company whose mine in Cabo Delgado is already in operation, suspended all logistical and personnel movements along the road to Pemba following the incident on 9 June. On 17 June, Syrah published a statement announcing that it is lifting “the precautionary suspension of personnel and logistics movements based on direct monitoring and security assessments from qualified third parties, effective immediately.” Mining operations had not been affected by the suspension, it said.
The statement continued: “Syrah continues to maintain close contact with the Mozambique government, security authorities and other stakeholders to monitor security in the region and ensure the safety of its employees and contractors.”
News article produced by Zitamar under the Cabo Ligado project, in collaboration with ACLED and Mediafax. The contents of the article are the sole responsibility of Zitamar News.
