A small-scale Tanzanian miner has become an overnight millionaire after selling the two largest Tanzanite stones to ever be found in the country.
The two gemstones—discovered by miners in the north of the country—are each about 30cm long and 10cm thick. They just sold for 7.74bn Tanzanian shillings ($3.35m).
Huge parties are planned for a small Tanzanian town this week, after local miner, Saniniu Laizer, sells two Tanzanite stones for over $3 million.
“There will be a big party tomorrow,” mining boss Saniniu Laizer told the BBC.
“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,” he 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.”
Despite his newfound fortune, Laizer maintains that no extra security measure will be put in place:
“There is enough security [here]. There won’t be any problem. I can even walk around at night without any problem.”
Laizer is reportedly planning large festivities in his home community to celebrate the discovery. What a guy.
