A tanzanite gemstone is pictured in the Manyara region, Tanzania, Aug. 27, 2022. (Photo by Nurdin Pallangyo/Xinhua)
Tanzanian authorities announce the discovery of two tanzanite gemstones weighing a total of 5.22 kilograms in northern Tanzania.
DAR ES SALAAM, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian authorities on Saturday unveiled a small-scale miner for discovering two tanzanite gemstones weighing a total of 5.22 kg.
Tanzanite is a rare blue gem only produced in northern Tanzania.
Anselim Kawishe, a miner, was announced by Adolf Ndunguru, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Minerals, for the discovery at a ceremony held at the Mirerani tanzanite mining area in Simanjiro district in the Manyara region.
Kawishe's new tanzanite discovery was valued at 1 million U.S. dollars, said Ndunguru.
Kawishe said he has been looking for the tanzanite gemstones for the past 15 years.
"I did not expect that there will be a day when I will be standing here carrying such a big tanzanite gem," he said.
Doto Biteko, the minister for Minerals, said President Samia Suluhu Hassan was informed about the new discovery and she directed the 5.22 kg of tanzanite should be sold quickly and the miner should be paid all of his money promptly.
Doto Biteko, the minister for Minerals of Tanzania, speaks during the unveiling ceremony of tanzanite gemstones in the Manyara region, Tanzania, Aug. 27, 2022. (Photo by Nurdin Pallangyo/Xinhua)
In 2020, another small-scale miner Saniniu Laizer discovered two tanzanite gemstones weighing about 14 kg. ■
