Illegal gold miners that live on the Madre Dios River.
Process of gold mining at a legally approved mine.
Remnants of a once working gold mine in the Peruvian Amazon. The government via series of raids attempted to shut down the area from illegal gold mining.
Artisan miners still work at a once illegal gold mine in the Peruvian Amazon. The government via series of raids attempted to shut down the area from illegal gold mining.
Pieces of gold are found during the mining process.
Illegal gold miners in their camp along the Madre Dios River. The area is currently being destroyed by the miners who are driven by poverty and the hope of a better life.
The environmental effects of gold mining are evident in Huepethaue, Manu province, Madre de Dios region, Peru.
The effects of gold mining are evident in the mining area of Lamal, Madre de Dios region, Peru.
Illegal gold miners work in the miner city of Lamal. The work took less than one month to destroy this part of the rain forest.
A gold miner stands in a barrel filled with mercury in order to separate the gold from the excavation matter, in the mining area of Lamal, Madre de Dios region, Peru. The miners mix the excavation matter with mercury to form an amalgam, which they commonly tramp on with bare feet in a barrel. The amalgam is then heated to vaporize the mercury, leaving behind a nugget of gold.
Illegal gold miners work in the miner city of Lamal. The work took less than one month to destroy this part of the rain forest.
The city of Huepethaue and the effects of gold mining on the environment.
A dying Brazil Nut tree alongside the Transoceanic highway that connects Brazil to Peru.

Images courtesy of ‎ Ron Haviv-Vll Photo Agency

Facts

  • In the Peruvian Madre de Dios area, where the documentary RIVER OF GOLD was filmed, approximately 90% of the gold is mined illegally, following no regulations.
  • In many mining operations the miners use mercury to separate the gold from other materials. The excess mercury is burned away from the amalgam releasing toxic fumes into the air. It is estimated that 30 tons of toxic mercury are released into the Madre de Dios ecosystem every year.
  • Mercury is widely considered one of the most toxic metals to human health and the environment. Mercury contamination causes severe disorders of the brain and central nervous system and can also poison the lungs, kidneys, and liver.
  • The Madre de Dios area is situated in the headwaters of the Amazon, one of the most important and biodiverse places in the world. This area is currently being destroyed by miners, who are driven to this area by poverty in hopes of a better life.

Facts

  • In the Peruvian Madre de Dios area, where the documentary RIVER OF GOLD was filmed, approximately 90% of the gold is mined illegally, following no regulations.
  • In many mining operations the miners use mercury to separate the gold from other materials. The excess mercury is burned away from the amalgam releasing toxic fumes into the air. It is estimated that 30 tons of toxic mercury are released into the Madre de Dios ecosystem every year.
  • Mercury is widely considered one of the most toxic metals to human health and the environment. Mercury contamination causes severe disorders of the brain and central nervous system and can also poison the lungs, kidneys, and liver.
  • The Madre de Dios area is situated in the headwaters of the Amazon, one of the most important and biodiverse places in the world. This area is currently being destroyed by miners, who are driven to this area by poverty in hopes of a better life.
The environmental effects of gold mining are evident in Huepethaue, Manu province, Madre de Dios region, Peru.
Illegal gold miners work in the miner city of Lamal. The work took less than one month to destroy this part of the rain forest.
A dying Brazil Nut tree alongside the Transoceanic highway that connects Brazil to Peru.
The city of Huepethaue and the effects of gold mining on the environment.
The effects of gold mining are evident in the mining area of Lamal, Madre de Dios region, Peru.
Illegal gold miners work in the miner city of Lamal. The work took less than one month to destroy this part of the rain forest.
A gold miner stands in a barrel filled with mercury in order to separate the gold from the excavation matter, in the mining area of Lamal, Madre de Dios region, Peru. The miners mix the excavation matter with mercury to form an amalgam, which they commonly tramp on with bare feet in a barrel. The amalgam is then heated to vaporize the mercury, leaving behind a nugget of gold.
Remnants of a once working gold mine in the Peruvian Amazon. The government via series of raids attempted to shut down the area from illegal gold mining.
Process of gold mining at a legally approved mine.
Illegal gold miners in their camp along the Madre Dios River. The area is currently being destroyed by the miners who are driven by poverty and the hope of a better life.
Artisan miners still work at a once illegal gold mine in the Peruvian Amazon. The government via series of raids attempted to shut down the area from illegal gold mining.
Pieces of gold are found during the mining process.
Illegal gold miners that live on the Madre Dios River.

Images courtesy of ‎ Ron Haviv-Vll Photo Agency