Illegal miners stand on top of a ditch where they search for precious stones on August 3, 2018, in Nthoro village, on the outskirts of the mining town of Montepuez, Mozambique. - The discovery of rubies by a local woodcutter just nine years ago sparked a "ruby rush" in Mozambique, which now accounts for 80 percent of the world's production, but Instead of riches and reward, what could have been a windfall has brought harassment, violence and even a local ban on farming. (Photo by EMIDIO JOSINE / AFP)
The arrival of the British mining firm saw the authorities and an army of private security officers swoop down on the area and the hundreds of illicit miners known as "garimpeiros."