Small-Scale Miner in Tanzania Finds Rare Gemstone Worth $2 Million

• Saninu Lazier, 52, is a small-scale miner in Tanzania.
• In June, he made a valuable discovery after finding two Tanzanite gems worth over 3 million dollars.
• Months later, he found one more of these rare gemstones with a value of more than 2 million dollars.
• The lucky miner plans to give back to the community by building a school and a medical facility.

A small-scale miner in Tanzania recently found one of the world’s rarest gemstones with an estimated worth of 2 million US dollars. And this isn’t even the first time he made such a valuable discovery, according to reports.

52-year-old Saninu Laizer found a 14-pound dark violet-blue Tanzanite, a gem that can only be found in Northern Tanzania.

Saninu Laizer, a small-scale miner from Tanzania, hit the jackpot the second time after finding another Tanzanite months after his initial discovery.

A report by the BBC tells us that the gem is worth at least 4.7 billion Tanzanian shillings (US $2 million) and is considered one of the few remaining Tanzanites.

A father of 30 children, Lazier said he will use his fortune to help the community.

In an interview with the media, Laizer said that he will be spending the money on building a school and a medical facility for the people of Simanjiro in the region of Manyara.

The money, according to the lucky miner, will not cause a drastic lifestyle change for him as he still plans to care for his 2,000 cows.

Back in June, Laizer became an overnight millionaire after discovering two of the largest Tanzanite gems which weighed
20.43 pounds and 11.26 pounds.

John Magufuli, President of Tanzania, congratulated Lazier on the find.

He was paid a total of 7.74 Tanzanian shillings (about US$3.35 million).

“Selling to the government means there are no shortcuts… they are transparent,” Laizer pointed out during a ceremony held at the northern Mirerani mine.