In the early hours of Thursday, it was reported that a Tanzanian miner who has about 30 children has become a billionaire overnight after he discovered two huge gemstones worth £2.4million.
The Tanzanian - Saniniu Laizer has been handed a cheque of 7.74 billion Tanzanian shillings (£2.4million) by the Tanzanian government for the two dark violet-blue stones, each about the size of a forearm during a trading event in the northern region of Manyara yesterday.
Laizer discovered the chunks in one of the tanzanite mines in the north of the country which are surrounded by a wall to control cross-border smuggling of the valuable mineral.
He also briefed reporters on how he was going to spend the money. "There will be a big party tomorrow" Laizer, who has four wives and 30 children, told the BBC.
The 52-year-old said that he would slaughter a cow to celebrate his good fortune.
