Thanks for the reply Pavbar.Have reprinted some of the Richland...

Thanks for the reply Pavbar.

Have reprinted some of the Richland info that was available at the link provided by Mahony.

Sounds a bit more more than general theft and normal low level crime, to which the government have been impotent at fixing. Certainly not comparable with Argyle mine in Aust.

(TML is subsidiary of Richland)

As previously announced, TML has experienced incursions into Block C by illegal miners for years and for a sustained period large areas of Block C have been occupied and held through force by illegal miners which have severely affected the Company's operation and financial performance. Following instruction from the Government at the time of the original incursions into Block C, TML security employees made no attempt to retake the areas and awaited assistance from the appropriate bodies.



In June 2013, TML reached an agreement with the Government for the granting of a new Mining Licence for Block C to be held on a 50:50 basis with STAMICO, in conjunction with STAMICO being brought into the mining operation as a joint venture partner (the "Agreement"). As part of the Agreement, the Government agreed to facilitate curbing of tanzanite smuggling, illegal mining in Block C and ensure mining operations are conducted in a safe and conductive environment.



Following signing of the Agreement, the Government co-ordinated an initial effort to clear illegal miners from Block C. This operation, which tragically led to the shooting dead by illegal miners of a TML employee who was assisting police, led to the clearance, by August 2013, of the northern area of Block C of illegal miners. Since that time no further action has been taken by the Government to clear the other areas of Block C which had been, and continue to be, or are in danger of being, occupied by illegal miners.



On 4 December 2013, TML signed the formal joint venture agreement with STAMICO under which STAMICO undertook in relation to tanzanite smuggling and illegal mining operations in Block C to use their best endeavours to facilitate and liaise with Government authorities to ensure that necessary enforcement actions are taken in a coordinated and timely manner.



The directors of Richland (the "Directors") reasonably anticipated that, following the formalisation of the joint venture with STAMICO, the illegal occupiers of mine shafts in Block C would be removed. This would allow reinvestment in the mining infrastructure in previously illegally occupied areas of Block C. However, to date this has not occurred, due to Government inaction, despite repeated requests for assistance made to the Government / STAMICO by Richland and the TML board