Gemstones producers Richland Resources (LON:RLD) has reported a break-in at its tanzanite mine storage facility in Tanzania.
The company said the crime occurred during the course of Sunday night.
Richland has contacted the police and its insurers, while an interim stock-take is underway to assess the value of any loss.
The news comes on the same day the company revealed it was thinking of re-opening its graphite mine in Tanzania to take advantage of the recent surge in the price.
Graphite has risen in price to over US$2,500 from US$480-US$550 per tonne when the Merelani graphite mine closed in 1998.
The mine is on the same site as Richland’s tanzanite operation and chief executive Bernard Olivier said that producing graphite may be a low cost source of revenue and cash flow.
A feasibility study is now underway to assess the potential synergies with the tanzanite operation, which is one kilometre (km) away from the historic graphite mine.
Richland was among the top London risers on Monday, climbing 1.2p or 23.5% to 6.18p.