Tanzanian miner strikes it rich again with huge gem find worth $3m

A small-scale miner in Tanzania who had become an overnight millionaire over a month ago when he unearthed two of the biggest rough tanzanite gemstones has struck it rich again, digging up a third stone weighing six kilograms with an estimated value of $A2.8 million.

The three stones were discovered by Saninu Laizer – a 52-year-old husband to four wives, and father to more than 30 children.

Mr Laizer waved the large stone over his head before handing it over to Tanzanian government officials who gave him a check to purchase it.

"I am begging my fellow miners, that we should patriotic by adhering to rule and regulations and committing ourselves to work hard so that we prosper," Mr Laizer said in Swahili, referring to regulations that tanzanite stones should be sold directly to the government, rather than to illegal traders.

The first two stones have an estimated value of $A4.7 million.

Tanzanite, with a deep violet-blue colour, is found only in the East African country and considered to be one of the rarest gemstones on earth.

"We Tanzanians have decided that minerals should first benefit us as a country," Minister for Mines Dotto Biteko said.

"We have had enough of selling our gems to others who benefit while our communities remain poor … in many mining areas business has gone up.

"Even areas where there was no business now things have improved."