Tanzanian small scale miner becomes overnight millionaire
Tanzanian miner has become an overnight millionaire after selling two rough Tanzanite stones – the biggest ever find stone in centuries.
Saniniu Laizer earned £2.4m ($3.4m) from the country’s mining ministry for the gemstones, which had a combined weight of 15kg (33 lb).
“There will be a big party tomorrow,” Mr Laizer, a father of more than 30 children, told the BBC.
According to BBC, it is one of the rarest gemstones on Earth, and one local geologist estimates its supply may be entirely depleted within the next 20 years.
The precious stone’s appeal lies in its variety of hues, including green, red, purple and blue.
Its value is determined by rarity – the finer the colour or clarity, the higher the price.
Mr Laizer mined the stones, weighing 9.2kg and 5.8kg, last week, but he sold them on Wednesday during a trading event in the northern region of Manyara.
Until now the largest Tanzanite rock to be mined weighed 3.3kg.
President John Magufuli of Tanzania phoned in to congratulate Mr Laizer on the find.
Source___BBC
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