Mererani — Tanzanite mining in Mererani has ground to a halt as a result of a power blackout, The Citizen has learnt.

Mining of the precious stone has been severely affected for the past three weeks after a transformer blew up, cutting power supply to 18 mines in Block B, according to owners of some of the mines.

One of the proprietors, Mr Julius Mollel, said he has suffered huge losses due to the problem. "I have so far spent Sh1.4 million to buy food for idle workers," he said and appealed to the authorities to intervene.

Mr John Mgonja accused the Tanzania Electric Supply Company in Manyara Region of inefficiency, saying the transformer that blew up had been neglected for several months.

However, Tanesco Manyara regional manager Safael Chigali refuted the claims, and said the problem was a normal technical hitch which they were trying to rectify.

Mr Chigali said Tanesco was in the process of buying a new transformer from a manufacturer in Arusha.

Meanwhile, an association of small miners has welcomed a proposal by the Same East MP Anne Kilango-Malecela that tanzanite areas be set aside exclusively for locals.

The association's chairman, Mr Zephania Mungaya, also urged the Government to seriously consider Mrs Kilango-Malecela's call to the Government to review the licences of big tanzanite mining companies ahead of their expiry in 2012.

"We thank Mrs Kilango-Malecela for voicing our plight in Parliament urge the Government to heed her advice," the official said.

Mr Mungaya said they were dismayed by Energy and Minerals minister William Ngeleja' defence of the contracts.

He said the law was clear on who should be licensed to mine tanzanite in operations that did not require big capital.

Mr Mungaya said small-scale miners were waiting for a new law on mining that would address some of the problems they were currenty facing.