Carousel: The Initial Impacts of Gold Mining
A visual story of how informal gold mining begins and its immediate effects on the environment.
The Arrival
Informal miners arrive, setting up makeshift camps along the riverbanks. The initial clearing of forest is small, but marks the beginning of a significant environmental transformation.
The Machinery
High-pressure water cannons and dredges are brought in. These powerful machines blast away riverbanks and scour riverbeds, releasing vast amounts of sediment and mercury into the water.
The Aftermath
The landscape is left scarred and desolate. Pools of stagnant, mercury-contaminated water become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, and the river's ecosystem is severely damaged.