A miner from Tanzania has become an overnight millionaire after he mined two of the biggest rough tanzanite gemstones ever found. The small-scale miner Saniniu Laizer now owns $3.4 million after the government purchased the precious stones weighing 20 pounds (9 kg) and 11 pounds (5 kg). The two dark violet-blue gemstones, each about the size of a forearm,
The Tanzanian government bough the gemstones for preservation as they are rare. Minerals Minister Doto Biteko said while announcing the same.“We’re signing agreements today in public to facilitate the cash transfer ... and the government recognizes Laizer is a new billionaire,” he said.
Taking about what he plans to do with this huge amount, Laizer said that he wants to open a shopping mall and a school for his community. “The money that I have received today, I will allocate it to more development activities,” he said.
President of Tanzania John Magufuli congratulated Saniniu Laizer.
For the unversed, Tanzanite is found only in the East African country.
Soon after news surfaced on social media, Twitter erupted with memes. Check out some of them below:
