Tanzania: Government Lift Ban On Tanzanite Miners

Diamonds from Tanzania

By By Joseph Lyimo

Government has lifted a ban imposed on Gem & Rock Venture Mine and two mines operated by TanzaniteOne Mining Limited at Mirerani in Simanjiro District.

The mines which border one another, have been in constant conflicts following underground encounters. They were closed since July 29, 2017 after five days of fighting between the workers of the two companies, with each camp blaming the other for mining in its area.

Lembris Mbatia, 22, a worker with Gem & Rock Venture Mine was killed in the clashes and 13 other people were injured.

On lifting the ban, the government has ordered Gem & Rock Venture Mine to carry out extraction operations 600 meters from the Tanzanite one mine.

The order follows realization that the company has transcended in boundaries to the neighbouring mine, owned by TanzaniteOne Company.