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Tanzania builds wall to protect gemstones

Friday April 06 2018
wall

The Great Mirerani Wall, built in the north of the Tanzania to prevent the theft of tanzanite. PHOTO | BBC

By BBC

Tanzania's President John Magufuli has officially inaugurated the Great Mirerani Wall, built in the north of the country to prevent the theft of tanzanite, a rare gemstone.

In September, Mr Magufuli ordered the military to build the wall, which is 24km long, in order “to control illegal mining and trading activities”.

The blue-violet tanzanite gemstone is found only in the country.

This is the first time Tanzania has built a wall to protect its mines, and some believe that other countries grappling with smuggling may also build them.

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