A Tanzanian small-scale miner SANINIU KURYAN LAIZER has become a multi-millionaire after discovering two precious tanzanite stones and selling them to the government.

LAIZER found the stones weighing 9.27 and 5.1 kilogrammes in the northern Mirerani hills and sold them to the government for 7.7 billion Tanzanian shillings approximately 3.3 million dollars.

Tanzanian Mining Minister DOTTO BITEKO at a function celebrating the discovery said the stones were the biggest ever uncovered in the country, with the government announcing that the stones would be placed in the national museum.

LAIZER said he hoped to use the money to develop his community, by building a mall and a school.