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Wednesday April 22, 2009
Robbers grab 4bn/- gold in Tabora
PIUS RUGONZIBWA, 22nd April 2009 @ 00:00,
Robbers grab 4bn/- gold in Tabora
PIUS RUGONZIBWA, 22nd April 2009 @ 00:00,
At least 3,500 ounces of gold worth $3m (about 4bn/-) was stolen in what is described as an armed robbery heist at the Resolute (Tanzania) Ltd gold mine at Lussu in Nzega, Tabora region, the mines stockholders reported yesterday. The head of the Economic and Financial Crimes unit at the police headquarters, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Samson Kasala, confirmed the incident but declined further details pending ongoing police investigations.
We are closely following up the development from the Regional Police Commander in Tabora well soon be in a position to give more information. As we talk now, the RPC is at the scene conducting preliminary investigations, DCP Kasala said over the phone yesterday. Sketchy details from a statement by Resolute Mining Ltd to the Australian Stock Exchange yesterday said the robbers got into the gold vault and snatched the gold that was held in readiness for shipment.
The mine site has a security force and the company is reviewing security procedures. It is the first time gold has been stolen from the operation, said the Companys Chief Executive Officer, Mr Peter Sullivan, in a statement. However, the company has reported that it will recover the loss from its insurance cover but could not hide its shock following the theft. Everyone is in a bit of shock there it is not something that happens very often, the CEO said.
DCP Kasala said the incident indicated that criminals were now using modern stealing techniques but added the police had the capacity to deal with that decisively. We will deal with this urgently and decisively consistently reporting the developments to the public We are on top of it, he pointed out. The Tabora Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Emson Mmari, could not be reached for comment but, according to DCP Kasala, he was fully engaged in leading the investigation team at the scene.