A miner in Tanzania has become a millionaire after finding two of the largest rough tanzanite gemstones ever recorded.
The Tanzanian government bought the rocks, weighing 9.2 kilograms and 5.8 kilograms, from miner Saniniu Lazier, for Tanzanian 7,700,000,000 billion (NZ$5,172,486).
Tanzania's minerals minister Doto Biteko, said the government plans to preserve the rare minerals.
"There will be a big party tomorrow," Lazier told the BBC.
Fifty-two-year-old Lazier has four wives and more than 30 children, and said he would slaughter one of his cows to celebrate.
He is planning to construct a school and shopping mall with his earnings, nine news reports.
Tanzanite can only be found in northern Tanzania and is one of the most uncommon gemstones in the world.
