This archive report was first published on 25 June 2020.
On June 25, 2020, Saniniu Laizer, a 52-year-old miner from Tanzania, made history by discovering two of the largest tanzanite stones ever found in the country.
The two rare stones weighed 9kg and 5kg, a combined 14kg, and were discovered at a mine on the northern side of the country.
Laizer sold the dark violet-blue gemstones to the government, through the mining ministry, at $3.35 million (about 7.74 billion Tanzanian shillings or Ksh.350 million).
According to the BBC, tanzanite is a rare gemstone with a unique appeal due to its variety of hues, including green, red, purple, and blue.
Laizer, who has over 30 children from four wives, plans to use his newfound wealth to build a shopping mall and a school near his home, where many poor people cannot afford to send their children.
"I want to build a shopping mall and a school. I want to build this school near my home. There are many poor people around here who can't afford to take their children to school," Laizer said to the BBC.
Laizer also received a congratulatory phone call from President John Magufuli during a live television broadcast.
