The Main Pit being dug by hand by Artisanal Goldminers in Wasta North Eastern Congo. Most of these miners are combatants who have controlled mineral rich areas and are profiting from their exploitation. Most of the Gold mined in this region leaves DRC illegally and is sent to Uganda. Illness and disease are rife malaria being the biggest killer, no aid workers are based in this region and no medical aid is available as it is thought to be too dangerous to work. 2004

Shifting the earth before the gold is extracted by Artisanal Goldminers in Wasta North Eastern Congo. Most of these miners are combatants who have controlled mineral rich areas and are profiting from their exploitation. Most of the Gold mined in this region leaves DRC illegally and is sent to Uganda. Illness and disease are rife malaria being the biggest killer, no aid workers are based in this region and no medical aid is available as it is thought to be too dangerous to work. 2004

Artisanal Goldminers in Mungbwalu North Eastern Congo. Most of these miners are combatants who have controlled mineral rich areas and are profiting from their exploitation. Most of the Gold mined in this region leaves DRC illegally and is sent to Uganda. Illness and disease are rife malaria being the biggest killer, no aid workers are based in this region and no medical aid is available as it is thought to be too dangerous to work, two UN soldiers were killed and dismembered here last year. 2004

Artisanal Goldminers in Wasta North Eastern Congo. Most of these miners are combatants who have controlled mineral rich areas and are profiting from their exploitation. Most of the Gold mined in this region leaves DRC illegally and is sent to Uganda. Illness and disease are rife malaria being the biggest killer, no aid workers are based in this region and no medical aid is available as it is thought to be too dangerous to work. 2004

Artisanal Goldminers in Wasta North Eastern Congo. Most of these miners are combatants who have controlled mineral rich areas and are profiting from their exploitation. Most of the Gold mined in this region leaves DRC illegally and is sent to Uganda. Illness and disease are rife malaria being the biggest killer, no aid workers are based in this region and no medical aid is available as it is thought to be too dangerous to work, two UN soldiers were killed and dismembered here last year. 2004

Pounding the Gold Rocks in to powder. Artisanal Goldminers in Mungbwalu North Eastern Congo. Most of these miners are combatants who have controlled mineral rich areas and are profiting from their exploitation. Most of the Gold mined in this region leaves DRC illegally and is sent to Uganda. Illness and disease are rife malaria being the biggest killer, no aid workers are based in this region and no medical aid is available as it is thought to be too dangerous to work, two UN soldiers were killed and dismembered here last year. 2004

Local selling religious jewelery in Mungbwalu North Eastern Congo. Most of the miners are combatants who have controlled mineral rich areas and are profiting from their exploitation. Most of the Gold mined in this region leaves DRC illegally and is sent to Uganda. Illness and disease are rife malaria being the biggest killer, no aid workers are based in this region and no medical aid is available as it is thought to be too dangerous to work, two UN soldiers were killed and dismembered here last year. 2004

Measuring the days takings. Artisanal Goldminers in Mungbwalu North Eastern Congo. Most of these miners are combatants who have controlled mineral rich areas and are profiting from their exploitation. Most of the Gold mined in this region leaves DRC illegally and is sent to Uganda. Illness and disease are rife malaria being the biggest killer, no aid workers are based in this region and no medical aid is available as it is thought to be too dangerous to work, two UN soldiers were killed and dismembered here last year. 2004

Ex Child soldiers are forced to work in the mines in very dangerous conditions. Often the children are sent deep into the mine to scrape the ore out as they are the only ones who can fit into the small spaces. 2004

Artisanal Goldminers in Mungbwalu North Eastern Congo. Most of these miners are combatants who have controlled mineral rich areas and are profiting from their exploitation. Most of the Gold mined in this region leaves DRC illegally and is sent to Uganda. Illness and disease are rife malaria being the biggest killer, no aid workers are based in this region and no medical aid is available as it is thought to be too dangerous to work, two UN soldiers were killed and dismembered here last year. 2004

Many dealers become pastors in order to use their religious influence in convincing their congregation to sell their diamonds. 2004

Dealers weigh the days takings to pay the local Artisanal Miners. 2004

Miners discuss prices as they try to sell the diamonds they have found to Belgian dealers in Mbuji Mayi. 2004

Currency traders in Mbuji Mayi, DRC’s Diamond centre. 2004

Many families are forced into slavery by the warlords and crush rocks for 12 hours a day. 2004