Artisanal Gold miners in Watsa, North Eastern Congo. Most of these miners are combatants who have controlled mineral rich areas and are profiting from their exploitation. 2004

Miners and Rebel soldiers work in formations under a warlord to extract the gold by hand. Most of the Gold mined in this region leaves DRC illegally and is sent to Uganda. Illness and disease are rife as access to medical care is impossible due to the insecurity. Malaria is the biggest killer. 2004

The warlords break their combatants into groups to more effectively mine the gold. 2004

During the rainy season the conditions in the mines become impossible and Cholera spreads rapidly due to bad hygiene and infected water supplies. 2004

Although the mines are well guarded there is the risk of attack at any time by rival rebel groups or government soldiers. 2004

Many Ugandans stayed on to mine after the Ugandan army left the region in 2003. 2004

Miners rip the land apart all over eastern Congo trying to find the minerals. 2004

Warlords pay agents to ship the gold to Uganda where it is essentially laundered and sold on the international market. 2004

UPC (Union Patriotic de Congo) militias demonstrate against ‘the French “assassins” in Bunia, Eastern Congo. 2003

A soldier who has been accused of cannibalism, lies in hospital in a makeshift hospital. Captured and beaten by the local population, he now waits in his room for news of his future. 2003

Fataki, Eastern Congo after a Lendu attack, which killed 22 people and displaced 7000 in 2003. Fataki was attacked a total of 16 times between 2003 and 2007. 2003

Diamond dealers buying in Mbuji Mayi, Congo Diamond centre. Approximately 3 million people live in the diamond town where most agriculture has ceased and replaced with the diamond rush. 2004

Locals in Mungbwalu, North Eastern Congo, selling religious artifacts. 2004

Residents of Fataki a village in Eastern Congo flee south from Lendu militias. 2003

Immaculate (32) was attacked by Lendu forces and now waits for treatment from locals who have no medical supplies. 2003