Gold Panner, Pogera Gold Mine by Erland Howden
Erland Howden

Gold Panner, Pogera Gold Mine by

Porgera Gold Mine, Enga Province, Papua New Guinea

A local woman taking a break from panning for gold in the waste that comes untreated out of the Porgera Gold Mine. The waste contains high levels of suplher, cyanide and mercury and is over 50 degrees celcius. The mine has also destroyed the local ecosystems including the rivers and is having serious health impacts on the local people.

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About Erland Howden

I’m 26 years old, live in the stunning Blue Mountains near Sydney and have been practising photography and design for 9 years. I’m passionate about stopping global warming, global justice, non-violence and sustainability. I’m a travel addict trying to stop flying and a recumbent bike lover.

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Tags

gold, people, woman, environment, person, mining, illness, waste, health, toxic, sick, png, papuanewguinea, enga, porgera

Comments

  • Casey Herman
    Casey Hermanalmost 3 years ago

    Yes, this is also going on at Ok Tedi, the river is brown from the poisons and downstream, the people fish, drink and wash from these waters. The mining company should be made to clean up the river and to pay for their crimes against the people of Papua New Guinea!

  • Thanks for commenting Casey – yes, it’s happening in many places in the world. Right on my back doorstep in NSW, Australia, the same company, Barrick Gold is using cyanide to mine gold in a pristine wetland located on Aboriginal sacred land. The fight goes on.

    – Erland Howden