Miners eat lunch from a communal bowl in the mining town of Pluto in Ituri Province. They work here to extract rock and sand from a large pit which has taken over a year to excavate. The miners are made up of many different people from all over Cong

Miners eat lunch from a communal bowl in the mining town of Pluto in Ituri Province. They work here to extract rock and sand from a large pit which has taken over a year to excavate. The miners are made up of many different people from all over Congo who come to seek their fortune.

Miners work to extract soil and rocks from the large 500 meter pit in Baru, Mongbwalu. The gold in this valley was discovered in November 2012 and since then thousands of workers and traders and soldiers have arrived to look for their fortune. The o

Miners work to extract soil and rocks from the large 500 meter pit in Baru, Mongbwalu. The gold in this valley was discovered in November 2012 and since then thousands of workers and traders and soldiers have arrived to look for their fortune. The owner of the land has sold his land in sections of 3 meters by 6 meters for 250 USD each section. Access to Gold has been the main reason for the conflict in ituri province.

Miners and Traders cross the flooded river to the Gold mine in Baru, Mongbwalu. Recently discovered it has over 3000 miners working there extracting gold. Many of them are soldiers who have deserted and come to look for money. Whole families have re

Miners and Traders cross the flooded river to the Gold mine in Baru, Mongbwalu. Recently discovered it has over 3000 miners working there extracting gold. Many of them are soldiers who have deserted and come to look for money. Whole families have relocated to be close to the mine. Children are used extensively to transport the gold from the mine, often carrying 25 -40 kilos.

A young miner 14 years old works with other miners in the mining town of Pluto in Ituri to extract rock and sand from a large pit which has taken over a year to excavate. The miners are made up of many different people from all over Congo who come t

A young miner 14 years old works with other miners in the mining town of Pluto in Ituri to extract rock and sand from a large pit which has taken over a year to excavate. The miners are made up of many different people from all over Congo who come to seek their fortune.

Child Miners deep in rebel controlled area Bavi look for gold. This gold is then smuggled to Uganda and sold to Ugandan military in exchange for weapons. The UN rates the warlord in charge here, Cobra Matata as a gun-for-hire and it seems he is in c

Child Miners deep in rebel controlled area Bavi look for gold. This gold is then smuggled to Uganda and sold to Ugandan military in exchange for weapons. The UN rates the warlord in charge here, Cobra Matata as a gun-for-hire and it seems he is in collusion with some Congolese FARDC troops and Intelligence officers to keep control of the mines at any cost to protect the illegal earning of the Congolese soldiers.

Miners in the mining town of Pluto in Ituri Province extract rock and sand from a large pit which has taken over a year to excavate. Then they filter the crushed rock through towels to extract the gold dust. The miners are made up of many different

Miners in the mining town of Pluto in Ituri Province extract rock and sand from a large pit which has taken over a year to excavate. Then they filter the crushed rock through towels to extract the gold dust. The miners are made up of many different people from all over Congo who come to seek their fortune.

A child soldier of the Mayi-Mayi in Kanyabayonga during an offensive against the CNDP

A child soldier of the Mayi-Mayi in Kanyabayonga during an offensive against the CNDP

FARDC Soldiers on the front line in Goma during an offensive against the CNDP.

FARDC Soldiers on the front line in Goma during an offensive against the CNDP.

FARDC Soldiers on the frontline in Goma during an offensive against the CNDP.

FARDC Soldiers on the frontline in Goma during an offensive against the CNDP.

The troops of Cobra Matata on patrol outside of Gety. They are recruited from the local youth and many of them are under 16 years of age.

The troops of Cobra Matata on patrol outside of Gety. They are recruited from the local youth and many of them are under 16 years of age.

Displaced flee from Rutshuru towards Goma as the town is attacked by rebel forces

Displaced flee from Rutshuru towards Goma as the town is attacked by rebel forces

The displaced camp Mungungu 2 under the volcano Mt Nyriagongo in Goma.

The displaced camp Mungungu 2 under the volcano Mt Nyriagongo in Goma.

The displaced camp in Rubaya where locals have fled to safety after fighting between M23 and FARDC.

The displaced camp in Rubaya where locals have fled to safety after fighting between M23 and FARDC.

Patients at a basic health clinic in the mining town of Pluto. Many people here can not afford the correct healthcare so they resort to local clinics who often give substandard care, advice and medications making the health crisis in the region wors

Patients at a basic health clinic in the mining town of Pluto. Many people here can not afford the correct healthcare so they resort to local clinics who often give substandard care, advice and medications making the health crisis in the region worse.

The funeral of Innocent Mwaka, 3 months old who died at the orphanage in Mutzipela, Bunia. Her mother died in child birth and her father is a miner of gold. He abandoned her at the orphanage and left the area. She died of diarrhea

The funeral of Innocent Mwaka, 3 months old who died at the orphanage in Mutzipela, Bunia. Her mother died in child birth and her father is a miner of gold. He abandoned her at the orphanage and left the area. She died of diarrhea

The health center in Bavi is badly supplied as it is deep in enemy territory and very few, if any NGOs can get clearance to come here. As a result all the civil society systems are desperately decaying as the rebels extract gold from the nearby mine

The health center in Bavi is badly supplied as it is deep in enemy territory and very few, if any NGOs can get clearance to come here. As a result all the civil society systems are desperately decaying as the rebels extract gold from the nearby mines.

The burial of of eight-month old Alexandrine Kabitsebangumi, who died from cholera,  in Kibati, north of Goma in eastern Congo.

The burial of of eight-month old Alexandrine Kabitsebangumi, who died from cholera,  in Kibati, north of Goma in eastern Congo.

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Miners eat lunch from a communal bowl in the mining town of Pluto in Ituri Province. They work here to extract rock and sand from a large pit which has taken over a year to excavate. The miners are made up of many different people from all over Cong
Miners work to extract soil and rocks from the large 500 meter pit in Baru, Mongbwalu. The gold in this valley was discovered in November 2012 and since then thousands of workers and traders and soldiers have arrived to look for their fortune. The o
Miners and Traders cross the flooded river to the Gold mine in Baru, Mongbwalu. Recently discovered it has over 3000 miners working there extracting gold. Many of them are soldiers who have deserted and come to look for money. Whole families have re
A young miner 14 years old works with other miners in the mining town of Pluto in Ituri to extract rock and sand from a large pit which has taken over a year to excavate. The miners are made up of many different people from all over Congo who come t
Child Miners deep in rebel controlled area Bavi look for gold. This gold is then smuggled to Uganda and sold to Ugandan military in exchange for weapons. The UN rates the warlord in charge here, Cobra Matata as a gun-for-hire and it seems he is in c
Miners in the mining town of Pluto in Ituri Province extract rock and sand from a large pit which has taken over a year to excavate. Then they filter the crushed rock through towels to extract the gold dust. The miners are made up of many different
A child soldier of the Mayi-Mayi in Kanyabayonga during an offensive against the CNDP
FARDC Soldiers on the front line in Goma during an offensive against the CNDP.
FARDC Soldiers on the frontline in Goma during an offensive against the CNDP.
The troops of Cobra Matata on patrol outside of Gety. They are recruited from the local youth and many of them are under 16 years of age.
Displaced flee from Rutshuru towards Goma as the town is attacked by rebel forces
The displaced camp Mungungu 2 under the volcano Mt Nyriagongo in Goma.
The displaced camp in Rubaya where locals have fled to safety after fighting between M23 and FARDC.
Patients at a basic health clinic in the mining town of Pluto. Many people here can not afford the correct healthcare so they resort to local clinics who often give substandard care, advice and medications making the health crisis in the region wors
The funeral of Innocent Mwaka, 3 months old who died at the orphanage in Mutzipela, Bunia. Her mother died in child birth and her father is a miner of gold. He abandoned her at the orphanage and left the area. She died of diarrhea
The health center in Bavi is badly supplied as it is deep in enemy territory and very few, if any NGOs can get clearance to come here. As a result all the civil society systems are desperately decaying as the rebels extract gold from the nearby mine
The burial of of eight-month old Alexandrine Kabitsebangumi, who died from cholera,  in Kibati, north of Goma in eastern Congo.