Child Gold Panners, Porgera Gold Mine by Erland Howden
Erland Howden

Child Gold Panners, Porgera Gold Mine by

Porgera Gold Mine, Enga Province, Papua New Guinea

These children spend most hours in their day 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.

The mine is run by Canadian mining company Barrick Gold.

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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, children, child, environment, kid, person, mining, illness, injustice, waste, health, toxic, mine, sick, png, panning, papuanewguinea, enga, porgera

Comments

  • Grace Leung
    Grace Leungover 3 years ago

    a very confronting image. great photojournalism.

  • Thank you Grace. It was really gut-wrenching being there. This is the face of the destruction caused by western mining companies in the majority world.

    – Erland Howden

  • Loxley
    Loxleyover 3 years ago

    Awesome photo – sad reality

  • Yeah, it was heart-breaking being there.

    – Erland Howden

  • danita clark
    danita clarkabout 2 years ago

    Grrrr thats not okay, dear sweet kids… Image captures emotion