Tanzania said that revenue accrued from the export of diamonds eased to $7.5 million last year, the lowest in 11 years, from $16.3 million in 2010.
Mines Ministry data provided by acting Commissioner Ally Samaje showed that the poor exports were as a result of production stoppages at Mwadui to rehabilitate the old processing plant.
The country produced 28,377 carats last year from 80,498 carats in 2010.
He also said that the shipments of tanzanite had tumbled to $22.8 million last year from $25.4 million in 2010, despite production increasing by 17 percent.
Samaje said silver exports leaped to $11.6 million from $7.7 million although output fell to 12,000 kilograms from 10,400 kilograms.
Copper shipments, he said, fell to $30.2 million from $37 million.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished
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