Maasai Miner Becomes Overnight Millionaire With Tanzanite Gem Find

Saniniu Laizer, a Tanzanian hand-miner became an overnight millionaire after selling two of the largest tanzanite gems ever found in the country. Saininiu Laizer sold two precious stones to Tanzanian central Bank for a whopping price of 7.7 billion shillings ($3.3 million).

According to reports, stone weighed 9.2 kilograms (20.3 pounds) and 5.8 kilograms.

It was during at an award ceremony conducted in the northeastern Manyara region, the bank handed over the check of 7.7 billion shillings to Saininiu Lizer and the ceremony was broadcasted on national television on Wednesday.

President John Magufuli claimed that purchase from Laizer could be considered as a vindication that reforms implemented by the governement had proved beneficial for small-scale miners.

Tanzania is the world’s only source of tanzanite, a blue-purple stone that’s found at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro.