At the JCK Show last June in Las Vegas, the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) announced its Merelani Miners Relief program. This fund-raising drive comes in response to a recent catastrophe at the tanzanite mines in Merelani, Tanzania. In addition to the press release from the AGTA, we have some information from gem dealer Michael Nemeth of San Diego, California, who visited the region soon after the disaster (and who previously reported on conditions at Merelani in the Summer 1996 Gem News section, pp. 135-136).

In early April of this year (April 8th, according to Mr. Nemeth), heavy rains led to the flash-flooding of several pits in Block B at Merelani, down to 1,000 feet (about 330 m). Although the disaster occurred during a holiday, 14 mines were being worked during the cool weather of the night and early morning. In addition, some workers were seeking shelter because of crude or nonexistent facilities on the surface. An early estimate of the loss of life was approximately 200 people, with 65 bodies recovered as of May 21, when AGTA representatives Philip Zahm and Jeff Schneider visited the area.

Ironically, the disaster came just as tanzanite production in Block B showed signs of increasing after a year-long dearth of stones. Mining was halted immediately after the disaster but has since resumed in some areas. Nevertheless, the task of cleaning out the flooded chambers (figure 23 in the printed version of the journal) will take months.

The tragedy has prompted the Tanzanian government and the mine owners to improve the primitive conditions at Merelani, where most of the mining is done by hand. The government has already dug a new drainage canal to redirect rain runoff away from the mines. AGTA’s goal is to raise $100,000, which will be used to construct a multi-purpose building on-site for the miners, as well as to train and equip a basic emergency medical team and a basic mine-rescue team. AGTA has already obtained pledges from medical and rescue trainers to volunteer their time and expertise.

Anyone interested in contributing to the relief program should contact AGTA headquarters at: 181 World Trade Center, 2050 Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX 75207 (Phone: toll-free in the U.S., 800-972-1162; outside the U.S., 214-742-4367).

Photo Jeff Schneider