Totally Tanzanite
February 29, 12
Not many countries can boast a unique gemstone found only within their borders. As far as geologists know, the only country that can lay claim to this impressive feat is Tanzania. The stunning blue gemstone tanzanite is found only in a single area of the east African country, at the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in the northern part of the country.
Tanzanite was only discovered in 1967 on the traditional land of the Maasai, the indigenous African ethnic group of semi-nomadic people who live in Kenya and northern Tanzania. Although it is not clear who first discovered it, the first stone was shared by tribesman Ali Juuyawatu with Manuel de Souza, a professional tailor who was prospecting in the area for rubies.
Since the stones had never been seen before, it was initially thought that they were unusually vibrant sapphires, but the then-unnamed gemstone – a type of zoisite – was soon found to be more complex than sapphire.
Following the discovery of tanzanite, the local Maasai people began to develop stories about the origins of the stone. According to the Maasai, a bolt of lightning set the land on fire and the heat from the “magic fire in the sky” changed crystals on the ground into “shimmering blue-violet stones.”
In the early days of the stones sale in the consumer market, tanzanite was marked exclusively by Tiffany & Co, which kept demand and prices relatively low. Since the 1980s, tanzanite has been more widely available and now demand often outstrips supply.
 Image: Tanzanite Foundation |
To try to balance supply and demand, in December 2011, Richland Resources Ltd – owner of TanzaniteOne, the largest miner of tanzanite –, announced that it had entered into a tanzanite Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) for additional ground on which to mine. The JVA has been entered into with a group of private Tanzanian individuals who own Primary Mining Licences from the Ministry of Energy & Minerals for the exploration and mining of tanzanite.
In an attempt to increase beneficiation from tanzanite, in 2010, the government of Tanzania decided to ban the export of rough tanzanite of 5 carats and larger as part of its attempt to keep as much of the production of polished stones in the country (much of the polishing is done in the Indian gem city of Jaipur). This decision was taken without much consultation with the mining companies and has led some – Richland among them – to ramp up their cutting and polishing operations in the country. Upon hearing of the decision, Richland immediately accelerated its construction of a precision cutting facility at the mine.
Unlike most other gemstones, for which no clear monitoring or certification system exists, tanzanite has been kept under tabs since 2003. In that year, the Tucson Tanzanite Protocol (TTP) was developed both to protect tanzanite and to ensure an ethical route to market. At its most basic level, the TTP ensures that relevant labor legislation, safety regulations and best mining practices are adhered to.
To help bring this aim to fruition, in 2003, the Tanzanite Foundation, a non-profit, industry supported organization dedicated to promoting and protecting tanzanite, was established.
Following the TTP, Tanzanite Foundation members commit to operate in accordance with legal and ethical employment practices and adhere to strict safety standards across the board. In addition, the Foundation has developed the Small Mines Assistance Program (SMAP), which aims to build relations with small mines in the area by facilitating the transfer of geological, mining and safety guidance as well as providing crisis management assistance.
As part of its mandate, the Foundation strives to “uphold an ethical route to market in accordance with the Tanzanite Tucson Protocols, and invests in meaningful and sustainable ‘upliftment’ projects developed in harmony with indigenous communities in Tanzania.”
One of the aims of the foundation’s work in this area is to empower indigenous communities to improve their way of life. It believes that by stimulating demand for tanzanite, sustaining the industry’s economic viability and channeling revenues back up the value chain to the source, both Tanzanian communities and the country’s economy will derive significant benefit.
One of its projects was the refurbishment and expansion of the Nasinyai Primary School, which is located in the village adjacent to the tanzanite mining area and educates 420 children. In addition, it helped to construct a secondary school and staff accommodation facilities.
Other projects include the renovation and installation of electricity in a rural medi-clinic, which it continues to support and the construction of a community center for the residents of Nasinyai, which is used for social gatherings, community congregations and church meetings for local inhabitants.
The Foundation also works with third parties to invest in the different projects it runs. For example, U.S. retailer JTV (Jewelry Television) donated school supplies and text books to the Naisinyai Primary and Secondary School. In another instance, the Foundation developed an eye-testing program for locals in the mining region with one of its manufacturer members.
Help to the region was especially important following the tragic flooding in the mines in 2008. Torrential rains causing flooding at the Mererani tanzanite mines leading to the death of more than 75 artisanal miners, most of who were aged between 15 and 26. TanzaniteOne, which operated the search and recovery efforts constructed a water retaining trench that will hopefully prevent further flooding into the small-scale mining pits.
Although tanzanite is found on their ancient homeland, for the Maasai, the discovery of the gemstone has not substantially altered their traditional way of life, which also means they will not be greatly affected when the supply runs out in the next 20 years or so.
The nomadic Maasai continue to focus primarily on the wellbeing of their livestock (the Tanzanite Foundation provides water to approximately 2,000 villagers and 4,500 head of cattle on a daily basis) and are not especially involved in the sourcing of tanzanite. Maasai men prefer not to go underground into the mines opting instead to work with the buying and selling of the stone.
In addition, some Maasai women, are involved in the support of the mining operations by making bags and ropes that are used to bring the rough material from the mine up to the surface.
From an environmental perspective, the Tanzanite Foundation says it is committed to the protection and rehabilitation of the mining area environment. As part of this work, it initiated the clearing and recycling of scrap materials and debris discarded by previous miners and has encouraged wildlife and prolific birdlife back into the area around the mine.
TanzaniteOne has also established a wetland that is thriving with water that comes from bio-boxes. The company also purchased a reverse osmosis plant, which is installed in the local district that will ensure that the water from the neighboring community will be free from excessive fluoride, which damages bone and teeth formation at a young age.
With its emphasis on the environment, ethical behavior and transparency, the tanzanite model is certainly one that should be replicated in other gemstone sectors.