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Auction Results - Mixed-quality Rubies

In brief · summary, not quotable

Mixed-quality ruby auction generated USD 46.2m revenue with 95% of lots sold at record average price per carat.

  • Total auction revenues USD 46.2 million
  • Lots sold 97 of 102 (95%)
  • Carats sold 143,613 of 167,865 (86%)
  • Average price per carat USD 321.94/carat (prior USD 316.95/carat)
  • Bidding companies 46
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Incorporated in Guernsey. Guernsey registration Number: 47656.

South African external company registration number 2009/012636/10

Share code on JSE:GML / AIM:GEM

("Gemfields" or the "Company")

Auction Results: Mixed-quality Rubies

LONDON, 12 DECEMBER 2024

Gemfields announces the results of an auction comprised of mixed-quality rough ruby held during the period 25 November - 11 December 2024.

Highlights: December 2024 Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction

  • Total auction revenues of USD 46.2 million.
  • 97 of the 102 lots offered for sale (comprising 167,865 carats) were sold (95%).
  • A lower quantity of 'premium' rubies on offer was the key driver of the lower auction revenues.
  • Average price per carat reached a record high for our mixed-quality ruby auctions, while observing some softer prices and thinner bidding.
  • Mining operations in Mozambique remain unaffected by ongoing civil unrest following the contested election.

Adrian Banks, Gemfields' Managing Director of Product & Sales, commented:

"Despite ongoing economic challenges in China and geopolitical turbulence worldwide, the results of this auction represent a positive outcome under the current market conditions. These results reaffirm the stability of demand for Gemfields' rubies, with prices for fine-quality aligning well with the limited supply of these rare and precious gemstones.

Encouragingly, new entrants with well-developed supply chains placed successful bids in this auction, highlighting a positive outlook across the quality spectrum. While we did observe some softer prices and thinner bidding, the average price per carat reached a record high for our mixed-quality ruby auctions, with the withdrawal of a lower-quality lot having only a limited effect.

Mozambique poses a number of material operating challenges at present, including as a result of the contested election, the arising civil unrest and the associated supply chain and logistics interruptions. Gemfields' priority remains the safety and security of our employees and contractors. We are grateful that, thus far, our mining operations have remained unaffected and we praise our circa 1,600 colleagues in Mozambique for their ongoing efforts in this regard. We wish the country and its citizens peace and prosperity and we are committed to making every effort within our means to further those goals."

The rough rubies were extracted by Montepuez Ruby Mining Limitada ("MRM", which is 75% owned by Gemfields and 25% by its Mozambican partner Mwiriti Limitada). The proceeds of this auction will be fully repatriated to MRM in Mozambique, with all royalties due to the Government of the Republic of Mozambique being paid on the full sales price achieved at the auction.

AUCTION RESULTS (MIXED QUALITY)Dec '22 AUCTION (7 sequential mini-auctions)Jun '23 AUCTION (7 sequential mini-auctions)Dec '23 AUCTION (7 sequential mini-auctions)Jun '24 AUCTION (7 sequential mini-auctions)Dec '24 AUCTION (7 sequential mini-auctions)
Dates21 Nov - 8 Dec 20225 - 20 Jun 202320 Nov - 5 Dec 20233 - 18 Jun 202425 Nov - 11 Dec 2024
LocationBangkok / OnlineBangkok / OnlineBangkok / OnlineBangkok / OnlineBangkok / Online
TypeRough Ruby (Higher, Medium and Commercial Quality), no CorundumRough Ruby (Higher, Medium and Commercial Quality), no CorundumRough Ruby (Higher, Medium and Commercial Quality), no 'Low Ruby' 1 or CorundumRough Ruby (Higher, Medium and Commercial Quality), no 'Low Ruby' 1 or CorundumRough Ruby (Higher, Medium and Commercial Quality), no 'Low Ruby' 1 or Corundum
Carats offered525,246446,202239,591217,044167,865
Carats sold431,671302,317239,591216,600143,613
No. of companies placing bids4451535246
No. of lots offered104949797102
No. of lots sold9891979497
Percentage of lots sold94%97%100%97%95%
Percentage of lots sold by weight82%68% 2100%99.8%86%
Total sales realised at auctionUSD 66.8 millionUSD 80.4 millionUSD 69.5 millionUSD 68.7 millionUSD 46.2 Million
Average per carat sales valueUSD 154.84/caratUSD 265.99 /caratUSD 290.02/caratUSD 316.95/caratUSD 321.94/carat

1 - The 'Low Ruby' category was not offered at the December 2023, June 2024 or December 2024 auctions.

2 - One lot of 26,806 grams (representing some 30% of the total weight offered) remained unsold at the June 2023 auction. As a result, the average price per carat realised at this auction was considerably higher than it would have been had this lot also been sold. These gems were then sold at the September 2023 commercial quality ruby auction.

In addition, Kagem Mining Limited ("Kagem"), the Zambian emerald mining company in which Gemfields owns 75%, notes that a legal claim has been filed against it in Zambia by Kagem's emerald mining competitor Grizzly Mining Limited, its sister company Pridegems Mines Limited and their majority owner, Mr Abdoulaye Ndiaye. The claim relates to alleged unlawful occupation by Kagem of an area known as "Kamakanga House" and conspiracy to injure business reputation and goodwill. Gemfields and Kagem believe that these claims are entirely without merit. Kagem (which had previously filed its own claim in Zambia against Grizzly, Pridegems and others in mid-November 2024 in relation to another area known as the "BISMA licence") is in the process of preparing a robust defence in conjunction with its legal advisors.

GEMFIELDS

GEMFIELDS.COMINVESTORSFOUNDATION
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KAGEM MINING LINKEDIN

MONTEPUEZ RUBY MINING LINKEDIN

Cleaned text: letterheads, contacts and legal notices removed. View the original announcement ↗ · Company filings. Not investment advice.

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