Tanzanite is named after the East African state of Tanzania,the only place in the world where it has been found is in the miningtown in Mererani hills of Simanjiro, in Northern Tanzania. Tanzaniteis soon becoming Africa's new bloodstained gem. Poor workingconditions, wide spread exploitation of miners, lack of cleanenvironment, no worker identifications cards, no labour contracts,poor mining gear, chronic poverty makes this yet another African storyretold.
In 2001 small scale mining was suspended following the accident thatclaimed 39 lives. The then Deputy Mnister of Energy and Minerals, Dr.Ibrahim Msabaha promised implementation of a stricter regime to governthe working conditions of the miners. Six years after this promise,conditions have worsened for the miners. The miners still don't havean organized Labour union to fight for or protect their collectiverights.
While trying to enter the Opec mining complex in Merarani, I asdiligently stopped by the guards who said I needed to pay 50 dollar toenter the premises. After much bargaining I was stopped from enteringthe mining enclosure. However on the way back I meet a few of theminers and spoke to them in length about their mining conditions. Somemore miners joined, the informal interview became an intense heartfelt conversation that lasted over an hour.
These images were shot over the course of the conversation
Photo Story by Suchitra Vijayan Member and correspondent of PLR
