A small-time miner in Tanzania just scored a big-time find.
Saniniu Laizer, a subsistence miner from the country’s Manyara region, discovered the two largest tanzanite gems in history. Coming in at a combined weight of about 33 pounds, the pair of rocks were sold to the Tanzanian government for a whopping $3.4 million on Wednesday.
“There will be a big party tomorrow,” Laizer told the BBC after the record-breaking sale.
Tanzanite is a rare gem believed to only be found in one part of northern Tanzania. Laizer, a 52-year-old husband of four wives and father of 30, said that he plans to slaughter one of his 2,000 cows in celebration of the newfound wealth. He also has big plans for his local community.
Tanzanian Miner, Saniniu Laizer has become a US Dollar Millionaire overnight. He sold two massive Tanzanite stones he discovered for $3.4 million. pic.twitter.com/uJdqk4JBT2
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) June 24, 2020
“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,” the new millionaire said. “I am not educated, but I like things run in a professional way. So I would like my children to run the business professionally.”
The find was so impressive even Tanzania’s president, John Magufuli, gave Laizer a congratulatory phone call.
“This is the benefit of small-scale miners and this proves that Tanzania is rich,” Magufuli said.
