In the ABC’s investigative current affairs show Four Corners, which airs tonight, it is claimed that Anvil provided vehicles and other assistance to government troops to halt the rebels.

Four Corners spoke to eye-witnesses who alleged the rebels were unhappy with Anvil for generating corporate profit from the Dikulushi mine without returning anything to the local community.

Anvil admits it assisted in transporting up to 100 government soldiers to the hot spot. The ABC quotes a secret United Nations investigation that reports the soldiers launching an attack using vehicles provided by Anvil Mining.

The UN report said of the 100 people killed about 28 may have been summarily executed.

Anvil’s chief executive Bill Turner said while Anvil helped the military get to the local village of Kilwa, the company was not further involved.

When the rebel uprising took place, Anvil evacuated its staff and denied reports the mine had been involved.

Operations were affected at the project, which last financial year produced more than 13,500 tonnes of copper and 1.2 million ounces of silver.

The market reacted adversely to the news, with Anvil shares plummeting more than 12% to 36c.