#Miner is a millionaire after discovering largest tanzanite gems in the world

A humble Tanzanian miner has discovered the world’s largest cache of tanzanite — worth over $3 million.

The two midnight-blue gemstones were unearthed in the eastern African country’s north region — the only part of the world where tanzanite can be found, Sky News reports There, gem miners operate independently, and are known to work with their hands rather than large-scale excavation equipment.

The gemstones weight 20.43 pound (9.27 kilogram) and 11.25 pound (5.10 kilogram), according to a Tanzanian government spokesperson. On Thursday, the Bank of Tanzania wrote the miner, Saniniu Laizer, 52, a check for $7.74 billion Tanzanian shillings ($3.34 million).

“Today’s event … is to recognize the two largest tanzanite gemstones in history since the beginning of mining activities in Merelani,” said the mines ministry permanent secretary Simon Msanjila, at a televised event in Tanzania’s northern Manyara region.

Laizer was shown ceremoniously handing over the tanzanite, both about as long as his forearm, and given a giant check in return.

Tanzania’s President John Magufuli telephoned Laizer during the broadcast to congratulate the subsistence miner.

“This is a confirmation that Tanzania is rich,” Magufuli told minerals minister Doto Biteko, according to Sky News.

In 2018, Magufuli had an enclosure constructed in northern region to protect miners from cross-country smugglers, where he claimed 40% of the country’s tanzanite was being traded illegally.