Tanzania Government bans export of raw tanzanite

[Invisible]

Tanzania has banned the export of raw tanzanite gemstone.

Minister of Energy and Minerals William Ngeleja announced the embargo last week saying the action was taken to spur development of the local processing industry, thereby boosting the economy and recouping profits.

"As from April 2, the export of raw tanzanite is banned," Mr Ngeleja said, adding: "Dealers found violating the sanction will have their consignment confiscated and licences nullified."

This is a blow to India's second largest city of Jaipur, the main importer of the mineral. Tanzanite accounts for one-third of the annual gem imports of Jaipur and employs nearly 250,000 people in cutting and polishing the raw gem for re-export.

Industry players in India fear Tanzania may extend the ban to the export of all raw gem material including diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, turquoise and topaz.

"If the Tanzania policy is applied, it will negatively affect the Jaipur gemstone sector," said Jaipur-based United Jewellers' Sanjay Phophalia.

Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council of India vice chairman Rajiv Jain was more optimistic saying talks had already been initited with Tanzania, "to find the best possible solution to rescue the trade of Jaipur."

According to Jagdish Tambi of KL Tambi of Jaipur, Tanzania's move is ill-advised as the country does not have the capacity to cut and polish the gemstone.

However, Tanzania Mineral Dealers Association (Tamida) chairman Sammy Mollel disputes this, saying the country has over 400 qualified experts in cutting and polishing tanzanite gemstone.

"So far over 120 tanzanite cutting and polishing have been deployed in Arusha with a capacity to cut and polish all tanzanite production," Mr Mollel said.

According to Mr Mollel, cutting tanzanite locally will minimise smuggling, create employment for the local people and help the industry contribute more to the government in terms of revenue.

He said that Tamida would work with the government to revive gemstone exhibitions, which were held annually in the 1990s in Arusha to showcase the country's mineral potential.

"Our intention is to bring buyers of all sorts of gemstone from around the world to Tanzania," he added.

It is estimated the tanzanite nets about $100 million annually while the finished gems are sold for over $500 million annually.

Under the revised legislation, the mining of gemstones will be reserved for locals but foreigners can enter into joint ventures with Tanzanian nationals.

Further, mining contracts will be reviewed every five years, with specific areas set aside by the government to avert recurring conflicts with big miners.

Also, Tanzania will not issue new gemstone mining licences to foreign companies.
Current agreements with foreign mining companies remain unchanged.

Source: The East African: *- Business*|Dar bans export of raw tanzanite

 

[paradox]

It's about time, the ban should definitely extend to all gemstones , I feel sympathetic towards the most likely poor Indians who will lose their jobs over the ban but the people of Tanzania should come first and not anybody else, it took the government long enough to come up with such a ban hopefully it isn't too late for the people to enjoy the full benefits of the stones which obviously won't last forever.

Also gemstone exhibitions definitely need to be revived, most foreigners think Tanzanite is mined in Kenya which is just ridiculous, the name speaks for itself, this is definitely a great move for Tanzania. :smiling:

 

[Son of Alaska]

EVERY other day tanzanite inatangazwa sana kwenye TV channels za biashara hapa Zurich,any keen observer can easily see Tanzania does not benefit much

 

[Chapakazi]

Mbona imechelewa ivyo kutoka? Inabidi tumuulize inakuaje wanaanza leo? Kampeni au vipi?

 

[Nyambala]

Hii kitu si imewahi kutangazwa huko nyuma? Au kumbukumbu zangu zimepotea?

 

[Lukolo]

Wanakumbuka shuka kumekucha? Tanzanite imeliwa kwa sana na wajanja kwa muda mrefu tu, leo hii Tanzanite ndiyo inaishia, ndo wanakumbuka kwamba haitakiwa kusafirishwa bila kuwa processed. Tanzania kila mahali burudani tupu.

 

[Aza]

hope it will work,really hope
im sick n tired of stupidity leaders & sheria/sera za madini Tz

 

[Ujengelele]

Ban on export of raw tanzanite begins to bite

By The guardian reporter
25th September 2010

250 000 jobs on the line in India`s Jaipur which was cutting and polishing centre

Tanzanite

The export ban of raw tanzanite imposed by the government to maximise the economic potential is already being felt in the Indian town of Jaipur, which was the major cutting and polishing centre.

According to informed South African gemstones business media reports about 250 000 jobs may be on the line in the town, bloggers have said this week.

Tanzanite accounts for one-third of the annual gem imports of Jaipur and employs nearly 250,000 people in cutting and polishing the raw gem for re-export.

Minister of Energy and Minerals William Ngeleja announced the embargo in June, this year saying the action was taken to spur development of the local processing industry, thereby boosting the economy and recouping profits.

"As from April 2, the export of raw tanzanite is banned," Mr Ngeleja said, adding: "Dealers found violating the sanction will have their consignment confiscated and licences nullified."

The net effect of this legislation is that it will bring more economic benefit to local economies.

The Tanzanian government banned the stones' export to India – because, logically, it wanted to develop its own national cutting industry – which has caused a monster problem for the Indian city of Jaipur which was where most Tanzanite was cut. 250,000 who depend on the stone in India have lost jobs.

In addition, Tanzania will not be issuing mining licenses to foreign companies. Mining will be reserved for locals; foreigners must be in a joint venture to participate.

The purpose behind this move is to develop a cutting and polishing industry in Tanzania itself and boost local employment. The gemstones under purview of the new legislation include diamonds, tanzanite, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, turquoise, topaz and others, reports add.

At present, much of the rough gem material from Tanzania goes to Jaipur, India, which is a stone cutting center particularly for lower value gems.

Tanzanite is a variety of gemstones found in the Mererani Hills of Northern Tanzania, close to the foothills of Africa's highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro.

Tanzanite was first discovered in 1967. There was some difficulty in identifying the samples but this was finally achieved by a government geologist, Ian McCloud, living in Dodoma. Tiffany's of New York secured the exclusive rights to market the stone and, as part of its campaign, named it for the country (it figured it needed a better name than blue zoisite which, said quickly, can come out a bit like blue suicide).

This new policy is a marked departure from how Tanzania has been utilizing its resources to date. Indeed, the country has often been treated merely a colony for exploitation by large companies.

Tanzania Mineral Dealers Association (Tamida) chairman Sammy Mollel was recently quoted as saying the country has over 400 qualified experts in cutting and polishing tanzanite gemstone.

He is also quoted to have said over 120 tanzanite cutting and polishing plants have been deployed in Arusha.

According to Mr Mollel, cutting tanzanite locally would minimise smuggling, create employment for the local people and help the industry contribute more to the government in terms of revenue.

He said that Tamida would work with the government to revive gemstone exhibitions, which were held annually in the 1990s in Arusha to showcase the country's mineral potential.

It is estimated the tanzanite nets about $100 million annually while the finished gems are sold for over $500 million annually.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

 

[August]

hii sera ni ya siku nyingi lakini huwa tuinaitekeleza wakati wa uchaguzi hasa hasa upepo ukiwa unatuendea vibaya. baada ya uchaguzi tunairudisha kabatini, tunaendelea kupeleka jaipur mpaka mimi na mafisadi wenzangu tuwe na uwezo wa kuweke kiwanda chetu bongo, sasa hivi tunatafuta mtaji jaipur na sa.
asente?

 

[JokaKuu]

..mara ya kwanza nilisikia hii habari wakati Mkapa ni raisi.

..sasa miaka 5+ imepita bado imeshindikana kufungua kiwanda cha kusafisha tanzanite?!

..ari mpya, na kasi mpya, imeishia wapi?

 

[Gaijin]

hiyo sheria imepitishwa tokea mwaka 2003.

Serikali ya Tanzania ije na statistics zinazoonyesha mafanikio ya hiyo sheria na net profit iliyopatikana tokea kuanza kutumika. (kama kweli hii sheria inatumika)

 

[payuka]

Tanzanite accounts for one-third of the annual gem imports of Jaipur and employs nearly 250,000 people in cutting and polishing the raw gem for re-export.


"As from April 2, the export of raw tanzanite is banned," Mr Ngeleja said, adding: "Dealers found violating the sanction will have their consignment confiscated and licences nullified.".

The net effect of this legislation is that it will bring more economic benefit to local economies.

Tanzanite was first discovered in 1967. There was some difficulty in identifying the samples but this was finally achieved by a government geologist, Ian McCloud, living in Dodoma. Tiffany's of New York secured the exclusive rights to market the stone and, as part of its campaign, named it for the country (it figured it needed a better name than blue zoisite which, said quickly, can come out a bit like blue suicide).

Hapo tu ndo watanzania wenye kujifanya wana uchungu na nchi hii ndo huwa wananichosha!!! ajira zinatengenezwa nje..............watanzania tunaachiwa mashimo. afu mtu anatoka kifua mbele ccm inaleta maendeleo. Nitamchapa mtu vibao nikimsikia anaongea huo upuuziiiii!!!!

 

[Genekai]

Hapo tu ndo watanzania wenye kujifanya wana uchungu na nchi hii ndo huwa wananichosha!!! ajira zinatengenezwa nje..............watanzania tunaachiwa mashimo. afu mtu anatoka kifua mbele ccm inaleta maendeleo. Nitamchapa mtu vibao nikimsikia anaongea huo upuuziiiii!!!!

Best nshajitoa kuchangia kwenye siasa lakini nachangia hii kwakuwa ni jukwaa la uchumi. Siyo siri kama tunataka nchi yetu iendelee basi kazi tunayokuwa nayo ni kuiondoa ccm madarakani kwa gharama yoyote ile. Vote for opposition parties esp. Chadema!

 

[Amoeba]

Hiyo ban ina makali gan? au ndy ban kama zetu humu ndani!....

Tatizo ni siasa chafu na mizengwe, amini nakuambieni kiwanda cha kukata madini si rahisi kujengwa hapa bongo kwa sababu ya njaa na ubinafsi wa viongozi wetu!!...

Kuna rafiki zangu kutoka India waliwahi kufika na kutembelea Mwadui wakiwa na mpango wa kujenga kiwanda cha kukata almasi pale Maganzo, waliondoka bila hata kuniaga! Nilivowauliza mipango inaendaje jibu lilikuwa la kiswahili, tena fupi sana, "WACCCHANA NA HIYO JAMBO!", siasa chafu, vikwazo walivokutana navyo ukisimuliwa unalia.

Wakati huohuo Walebanon wamejichimbia pale wananunua mawe na kuyasafirisha kama njugu!!!! damn!

:mad2:

 

[Mziba]

The Wadau should not take a crap.

I have seen some of these Maliasili's contracts, it's mind boggling. Here's my take. In a complex market economy system such as ours, Planning for future is crucial. In that sense, the laws to protect agreement or contracts must be reliable must enforceble in the court of law. As a matter of fact, it is an important variable when it comes to attract direct investments from overseas.

However, there are compelling reasons that allow people and a business to escape or avoid their contracts. An agreement or contracts entered by forcee, trickery, unfair persuasion, lack of capacity, just to mention a fews.

Based on the guidian piece, the people may ask Mahakama kuu to void the contract. It is not up to govenmtn officials to do this. They have already done their job. The people needs to come accros and save the day. It seems there are some compelling reasons that make this contract voidable. The people can take this case to Kisutu.

And also, the management team that got into deceit contract could face charges for unduly influance of the govenment official. They can't take inexperiance govenment officials without knowledge in valuation of natural resources and tell'em sign here, sign here with a little shake hand. Please, a man represent about 40+millions of people, dude. Do not take advantage of others.

 

[BAK]

Tanzanite ban: Smuggling in full swing

By ADAM IHUCHA and FLORIAN KAIJAGE

Posted Monday, April 4 2011 at 00:00
THE EAST AFRICAN


Tanzanite crystal smuggling is back in full swing, a year after Tanzania had banned export of rough gemstone.

The country had set December 31, 2010 as the deadline for any official trade of unprocessed Tanzanite, the precious gemstone found only at Mererani, near Arusha.


Tanzania's Northern Zone Mineral officer, Benjamin Muchwampaka told The EastAfrican in Arusha last week that the government collected barely $594,255 in July 2010, down from nearly $858,380 before the ban.


Mr Muchwampaka said the state is currently working out a strategy that will see the introduction of "certificates of origin" in a bid to curb smuggling of tanzanite and boost revenue from the rare gemstone.

Currently, dealers need a mere permit to export tanzanite, a situation that abets smuggling.

Once the new system comes into force, exporters would require the certificate of origin to be signed by three designated officials before they export tanzanite consignments.

This is in line with the government decision last year through Notice number 146 on export of tanzanite.


The notice that bans export of raw tanzanite was received negatively by dealers who claimed to have no equipment for cutting and polishing of the stones.

Tanzanite One, the Southern African mining company claims the company was yet to implement the directive due to technical hindrances as they lack enough expertise to cut and polish gemstones.


William Ngeleja, Minister for Energy and Minerals told The EastAfrican in Dar es Salaam last week that the government wanted the stones sold in the foreign market after processing.

Mr. Ngeleja said the ban on export of unprocessed tanzanite was done to spur development of local processing facilities, thereby boosting the economy and recouping profits.

The government reiterated that the set timeline barring the trade of raw tanzanite could neither be reviewed nor extended.

Traders say rough tanzanite is not as fast moving in the market as it was prior to the government comprehensive ban on export of raw Tanzanite.


Adam Malima, Deputy Minister of Energy and Minerals maintains that the export of raw tanzanite is illegal and that dealers found infringing the ban will have their consignment confiscated and license nullified.

Sammy Mollel, Chairman of the Tanzania Mineral Dealers Association (Tamida) has repeatedly said that cutting tanzanite locally would minimise smuggling, create employment for local people and contribute to revenue.

Tamida in conjunction with the government is working to revive gemstone exhibitions, which were held annually in the 1990s in Arusha to showcase the country's mineral potentials.


Tanzanite mining nets the government approximately $20million annually (Mhhhh!). The finished gems are usually sold on the US market for about $500 million annually.

 

[segwanga]

I this silly season,waziri wa madini anatakiwa atueleze kama hili la kuuza madini ghafi limeshazuia na kiasi gani limetengeneza ajira kwa watanzania,mi inaniuma sana kuwatengenezea ajira watu wengine kutokana na mali asili yetu