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 mine's stockholders reported yesterday. The head of the Economic and Financial Crimes unit at The Head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Unit at the Police
Headquarters in Dar es Salaam, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP)
Samson Kasala, confirmed the incident but declined further details
pending ongoing police investigations.
We are closely following up the matter withthe police in Tabora
Region. We will soon be in a position to give more information. As we
are talking now, the RPC, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Emson
Mmari, is at the scene conducting preliminary investigations, Mr Kasala said over the phone yesterday.
According to sketchy details contained in a statement by Resolute
Mining Ltd to the Australian Stock Exchange yesterday, the robbers got
into the vault and made away with the gold that was stored ready 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 here, the company's Chief Executive Officer, Mr Peter Sullivan, said.
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.
Mr 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.
According to Mr Kasala, the RPC is leading a high-powered investigation team whose findings would be communicated to the public as soon as they are made available.
Daily News
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