Some Mining in progress, the "road" conditions to the mines and more !
Here you see slogging through the "roads", and I use the term loosely, with the trusty four-wheeler.
Just one of the many river crossings on the journey.
Just one of the many vehicles and machinery passed, climbed around,
made our own road around....... as they were usually stuck IN the road.
This is the main road through the town.
This is where the villagers go to sell their wares.
This is "high-tech" mining. They have shovels!
This is another Songea Sapphire Mine..... on the top side. You can see some of the surrounding countryside here.
This is another Sapphire Mine..... Bringing out sapphires and other gemstones
for shipment to Gemstoneworld.
You can see what the "road" conditions are, nothing much more than a trail big enough to get a car into.
These mines may be worked, literally, by hand, or "high tech", meaning they have shovels. You can see the damage done, and the conditions under which they work here.
This is a mine worked by diverting the stream and working the streambed for gemstones.
The sand and rocks must be brought out by hand for sorting the gemstones out of it.
You can see the conditions the people must work under to retreive the sand and rock containing the gemstones.
This is where gem dealers from around the world gather to buy gemstones.
Three of the skilled faceters working and consulting on a custom cut for a customer.
Here is one of the jewelers finishing up a custom piece of 18K and Sapphire jewelry.
Work in progress on the many 18K and gemstone items available for purchase in either yellow or white gold.
This is Ralph (on the left) relaxing at one of his favorite restaurants. Just drink the bottled water!
Ralph overseeing machine work being done in one of the best machine shops in Dar es Salaam.
Overseeing repairs at one of the mechanic shops in Dar es Salaam.
Click on the highlighted links
to view the pictures !
One of the mining claims in Songea in progress...
Another, larger Claim being worked
Another, larger Claim in Songea being worked
The "road" into Katai, another Sapphire mining area.
Another mine, larger, being worked.
Same mine, showing conditions.
Gem auction in Arusha, Tanzania
A progressive jewelry operation in Tanzania
This truck was destroyed in an accident where Ralph was injured, on his way to Tunduru.
