Tanzania last week announced that it will auction raw tanzanite that was last year seized at different airports in the country.

Gemstones worth over $11.4 million were seized on different dates at Julius Nyerere International Airport, Mwanza International Airport and Kilimanjaro International Airport.

“We are going to use this exhibition to auction the seized tanzanite gemstones as a way of telling the world that Tanzania is against mineral smuggling,” acting Commissioner of Minerals Ally Samaje said at the ongoing Arusha International Gem Fair.

He said mineral smuggling is a threat to Tanzania’s economy, urging dealers to follow the law when exporting minerals.

“We want also to see minerals benefit both locals and international buyers... There must be a win-win situation,” he added.

According to Mr Samaje, the government in last year’s gemstone fair collected $137,659 worth in royalties following the auction of over $3 million worth of gemstones.

Arusha District Commissioner Fadhili Nkurlu challenged all players in the industry to adhere to the law while conducting their businesses.

The three-week exhibition has attracted about 65 exhibitors from Tanzania, Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Mozambique, Madagascar and Uganda.

Ban on export of raw tanzanite

In July 2010, Tanzania, the world’s only source of tanzanite, outlawed the export of rough stones weighing above one gramme to promote the development of the local processing industry.

READ: Raw Tanzanite exports hurting local economy

The embargo was part of the Mining Act of 2010, which aims to create employment for Tanzanians, recoup profits and boost the economy.

In 2012, Jaipur exported cut and polished tanzanite worth $82 million, equivalent to what Tanzania earned in a four-year period. Globally, the tanzanite trade earns only $500 million a year; Tanzania earns $20.75 million from its exports of Tanzanite.