Gemfields Partners with the Luwire Wildlife Conservancy

Mozambique’s Luwire Wildlife Conservancy (luwire.org) and Gemfields (gemfields.com) are pleased to announce the formation of a long term partnership focused on preserving Luwire’s biodiversity and assisting Luwire’s communities. 

‘Gemfields has, for more than a decade, walked a trail promoting greater transparency in the mining and selling of Africa’s coloured gemstone resources. Today, more emerald- and ruby-derived value than ever accrues to our host countries in Mozambique and Zambia. We see an undeniable connection between Africa’s minerals and biodiversity and the interconnecting relationship with local communities. We are delighted to partner with Luwire to really deliver change on the ground in Mozambique,’ said Sean Gilbertson, CEO of Gemfields.

Paul Buckley, Chairman of Luwire, commented: ‘Gemfields joins an impressive list of global partners that have recognised the value of Luwire as a global natural asset and the critical role that local communities play in preserving that asset. Gemfields’ initial focus shall be on a number of Luwire’s nature based businesses. These businesses are critical for sustainably empowering local communities.’

About Luwire 
The Luwire Wildlife Conservancy (‘Luwire’) is located in Northern Mozambique’s Niassa Special Reserve. It encompasses − at 4,550 km² − one of Africa’s largest private conservation concessions and is a globally important carbon sink. Luwire’s communities encompass approximately 5,000 people across seven villages and live in daily contact with local wildlife. Further information about Luwire can be found at www.luwire.org

About Gemfields
Gemfields is a world-leading supplier of responsibly sourced coloured gemstones. Gemfields’ work at 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) has seen Africa become the world’s largest exporter of emeralds and rubies. Gemfields’ approach to transparency also means that the host nations in Africa today see dramatically greater value from their gemstone resources remaining in-country. Gemfields is committed to furthering transparency, legitimacy and integrity in the coloured gemstone business and believes strongly that coloured gemstones should create a positive impact for the countries and communities from which they originate. Gemfields has established a track record of improving healthcare, education, agriculture and livelihoods for the communities around its mines and of supporting conservation efforts to protect Africa’s wildlife and biodiversity (#conservationgemstones). Further information about Gemfields can be found at www.gemfields.com