World
Miner hits jackpot finding largest-ever tanzanite gems

One Tanzanian miner’s day just got a lot brighter after finding the largest Tanzanite gems in history. The finding has now made him US$3.35 million richer, and he plans to share his newfound wealth with those around him.
Saniniu Laizer, the small-scale subsistence miner who made the discovery, said he will first have a party and then work on plans to build a school and shopping mall with the money from the gems.
Laizer said, “There are many poor people around here who can’t afford to take their children to school.”

he two tanzanite gemstones are the largest ever found, according to the mines ministry. PHOTO: Tanzania Ministry of Minerals/Reuters
The Bank of Tanzania bought the two gemstones, which weigh 9.3 kilograms and 5.1 kilograms, and are about the size of a forearm. The small East African country last year set up trading centres around the country to allow artisanal miners to sell their gems and gold to the government.
In 2018, officials built a wall around tanzanite mining concessions in northern Tanzania in an attempt to control illegal mining and trading activities. At that time, 40% of tanzanite produced there was reportedly being lost to cross-border smuggling. The rare gems are only found in a small northern region of Tanzania.
SOURCE: The Guardian
Get more from The Thaiger
Join the conversation and have your say on Thailand news published on The Thaiger.
Thaiger Talk is our new Thaiger Community where you can join the discussion on everything happening in Thailand right now.
Please note that articles are not posted to the forum instantly and can take up to 20 min before being visible. Click for more information and the Thaiger Talk Guidelines.

-
Best of2 hours ago
Best diving schools in Koh Samui for 2022
-
Thailand4 days ago
CCSA to give thumbs up to 4am licensing in Thailand next week
-
Thailand4 days ago
Thailand workers could earn over 100,000 baht in Saudi Arabia
-
Bangkok4 days ago
Lots of Hong Kongers are searching for flights to Bangkok
-
Indonesia3 days ago
Unexplained plane mysteriously sitting in a field in Bali
-
Pattaya4 days ago
Free noodles for beach cleaners after Pattaya Music Festival mess
-
Economy2 days ago
After poor South Koreans die in flooded basement home, will there be change?
-
Thailand3 days ago
Thailand’s economy grows but it still misses China’s cash