Illegal Gold Workers of Ghana

(29 photos)
  • The portrait of an illegal gold worker in a flat shared by a dozen other "gold brothers" in Kenyasi, Ghana, West Africa, Feb. 2008. Ghana has one of the world's largest illegal gold mining industry. Estimated one million Ghanaians known locallly as "galamsey" ("gather and sell") work illegally throughout the country: some dig out gold-rich rocks from underground mines, some grind the stones to extract the gold minerals with mercury, others purify the mercury-gold compounds. They commute from nearby villages to illegal sites deep in the bush - which may employ up to 10,000 people - working from dusk till dawn in dangerous, primitive conditions. They face government's prosecution, mercury poisoning, and being buried alive, yet thousands continue to flock to the galamsey trade that is more lucrative than the legitimate gold labor. They operate as teams and pride themselves on their bond, calling each other "brother" - gold brothers.
  • The portrait of an illegal gold worker on his way to a remote work site in the bush near Kenyasi, Ghana, West Africa, Feb. 2008. Ghana has one of the world's largest illegal gold mining industry. Estimated one million Ghanaians known locallly as "galamsey" ("gather and sell") work illegally throughout the country: some dig out gold-rich rocks from underground mines, some grind the stones to extract the gold minerals with mercury, others purify the mercury-gold compounds. They commute from nearby villages to illegal sites deep in the bush - which may employ up to 10,000 people - working from dusk till dawn in dangerous, primitive conditions. They face government's prosecution, mercury poisoning, and being buried alive, yet thousands continue to flock to the galamsey trade that is more lucrative than the legitimate gold labor. They operate as teams and pride themselves on their bond, calling each other "brother" - gold brothers.
  • The portrait of a former illegal gold worker at a licensed gold mill in Konongo, Ghana, West Africa, Feb. 2008. Ghana has one of the world's largest illegal gold mining industry. Estimated one million Ghanaians known locallly as "galamsey" ("gather and sell") work illegally throughout the country: some dig out gold-rich rocks from underground mines, some grind the stones to extract the gold minerals with mercury, others purify the mercury-gold compounds. They commute from nearby villages to illegal sites deep in the bush - which may employ up to 10,000 people - working from dusk till dawn in dangerous, primitive conditions. They face government's prosecution, mercury poisoning, and being buried alive, yet thousands continue to flock to the galamsey trade that is more lucrative than the legitimate gold labor. They operate as teams and pride themselves on their bond, calling each other "brother" - gold brothers.
  • The portrait of an illegal gold worker outside a flat shared by a dozen other "gold brothers" in Kenyasi, a western town in the Ashanti region of Ghana, West Africa, Feb. 2008. Ghana has one of the world's largest illegal gold mining industry. Estimated one million Ghanaians known locallly as "galamsey" ("gather and sell") work illegally throughout the country: some dig out gold-rich rocks from underground mines, some grind the stones to extract the gold minerals with mercury, others purify the mercury-gold compounds. They commute from nearby villages to illegal sites deep in the bush - which may employ up to 10,000 people - working from dusk till dawn in dangerous, primitive conditions. They face government's prosecution, mercury poisoning, and being buried alive, yet thousands continue to flock to the galamsey trade that is more lucrative than the legitimate gold labor. They operate as teams and pride themselves on their bond, calling each other "brother" - gold brothers.
  • Illegal gold workers buy gasoline before heading to a remote work site in the bush of Kenyasi, Ghana, West Africa, Feb. 2008. Ghana has one of the world's largest illegal gold mining industry. Estimated one million Ghanaians known locallly as "galamsey" ("gather and sell") work illegally throughout the country: some dig out gold-rich rocks from underground mines, some grind the stones to extract the gold minerals with mercury, others purify the mercury-gold compounds. They commute from nearby villages to illegal sites deep in the bush - which may employ up to 10,000 people - working from dusk till dawn in dangerous, primitive conditions. They face government's prosecution, mercury poisoning, and being buried alive, yet thousands continue to flock to the galamsey trade that is more lucrative than the legitimate gold labor. They operate as teams and pride themselves on their bond, calling each other "brother" - gold brothers.
  • Illegal gold workers share their transportation to a remote work site in the bush of Kenyasi, Ghana, West Africa, Feb. 2008. Ghana has one of the world's largest illegal gold mining industry. Estimated one million Ghanaians known locallly as "galamsey" ("gather and sell") work illegally throughout the country: some dig out gold-rich rocks from underground mines, some grind the stones to extract the gold minerals with mercury, others purify the mercury-gold compounds. They commute from nearby villages to illegal sites deep in the bush - which may employ up to 10,000 people - working from dusk till dawn in dangerous, primitive conditions. They face government's prosecution, mercury poisoning, and being buried alive, yet thousands continue to flock to the galamsey trade that is more lucrative than the legitimate gold labor. They operate as teams and pride themselves on their bond, calling each other "brother" - gold brothers.
  • An illegal gold worker transports gasoline to a remote work site in the bush of Kenyasi, Ghana, West Africa, Feb. 2008. Ghana has one of the world's largest illegal gold mining industry. Estimated one million Ghanaians known locallly as "galamsey" ("gather and sell") work illegally throughout the country: some dig out gold-rich rocks from underground mines, some grind the stones to extract the gold minerals with mercury, others purify the mercury-gold compounds. They commute from nearby villages to illegal sites deep in the bush - which may employ up to 10,000 people - working from dusk till dawn in dangerous, primitive conditions. They face government's prosecution, mercury poisoning, and being buried alive, yet thousands continue to flock to the galamsey trade that is more lucrative than the legitimate gold labor. They operate as teams and pride themselves on their bond, calling each other "brother" - gold brothers.
  • Illegal gold workers assemble wash boards (for screening gold minerals) at a remote site in the bush of Kenyasi, Ghana, West Africa, Feb. 2008. Ghana has one of the world's largest illegal gold mining industry. Estimated one million Ghanaians known locallly as "galamsey" ("gather and sell") work illegally throughout the country: some dig out gold-rich rocks from underground mines, some grind the stones to extract the gold minerals with mercury, others purify the mercury-gold compounds. They commute from nearby villages to illegal sites deep in the bush - which may employ up to 10,000 people - working from dusk till dawn in dangerous, primitive conditions. They face government's prosecution, mercury poisoning, and being buried alive, yet thousands continue to flock to the galamsey trade that is more lucrative than the legitimate gold labor. They operate as teams and pride themselves on their bond, calling each other "brother" - gold brothers.
  • Illegal gold workers dig out machines like generators and grinders hidden beneath the soil at a remote site in the bush of Kenyasi, Ghana, West Africa, Feb. 2008. Ghana has one of the world's largest illegal gold mining industry. Estimated one million Ghanaians known locallly as "galamsey" ("gather and sell") work illegally throughout the country: some dig out gold-rich rocks from underground mines, some grind the stones to extract the gold minerals with mercury, others purify the mercury-gold compounds. They commute from nearby villages to illegal sites deep in the bush - which may employ up to 10,000 people - working from dusk till dawn in dangerous, primitive conditions. They face government's prosecution, mercury poisoning, and being buried alive, yet thousands continue to flock to the galamsey trade that is more lucrative than the legitimate gold labor. They operate as teams and pride themselves on their bond, calling each other "brother" - gold brothers.
  • Illegal gold workers dig out machines like generators and grinders hidden beneath the soil at a remote site in the bush of Kenyasi, Ghana, West Africa, Feb. 2008. Ghana has one of the world's largest illegal gold mining industry. Estimated one million Ghanaians known locallly as "galamsey" ("gather and sell") work illegally throughout the country: some dig out gold-rich rocks from underground mines, some grind the stones to extract the gold minerals with mercury, others purify the mercury-gold compounds. They commute from nearby villages to illegal sites deep in the bush - which may employ up to 10,000 people - working from dusk till dawn in dangerous, primitive conditions. They face government's prosecution, mercury poisoning, and being buried alive, yet thousands continue to flock to the galamsey trade that is more lucrative than the legitimate gold labor. They operate as teams and pride themselves on their bond, calling each other "brother" - gold brothers.
  • An illegal gold worker clear away unwanted stone grinds (after gold minerals have been extracted) at a remote site in the bush of Kenyasi, Ghana, West Africa, Feb. 2008. Ghana has one of the world's largest illegal gold mining industry. Estimated one million Ghanaians known locallly as "galamsey" ("gather and sell") work illegally throughout the country: some dig out gold-rich rocks from underground mines, some grind the stones to extract the gold minerals with mercury, others purify the mercury-gold compounds. They commute from nearby villages to illegal sites deep in the bush - which may employ up to 10,000 people - working from dusk till dawn in dangerous, primitive conditions. They face government's prosecution, mercury poisoning, and being buried alive, yet thousands continue to flock to the galamsey trade that is more lucrative than the legitimate gold labor. They operate as teams and pride themselves on their bond, calling each other "brother" - gold brothers.
  • An illegal gold worker clear away unwanted stone grinds (after gold minerals have been extracted) at a remote site in the bush of Kenyasi, Ghana, West Africa, Feb. 2008. Ghana has one of the world's largest illegal gold mining industry. Estimated one million Ghanaians known locallly as "galamsey" ("gather and sell") work illegally throughout the country: some dig out gold-rich rocks from underground mines, some grind the stones to extract the gold minerals with mercury, others purify the mercury-gold compounds. They commute from nearby villages to illegal sites deep in the bush - which may employ up to 10,000 people - working from dusk till dawn in dangerous, primitive conditions. They face government's prosecution, mercury poisoning, and being buried alive, yet thousands continue to flock to the galamsey trade that is more lucrative than the legitimate gold labor. They operate as teams and pride themselves on their bond, calling each other "brother" - gold brothers.
  • Illegal gold workers keep livestock for food at a remote site in the bush of Kenyasi, Ghana, West Africa, Feb. 2008. Ghana has one of the world's largest illegal gold mining industry. Estimated one million Ghanaians known locallly as "galamsey" ("gather and sell") work illegally throughout the country: some dig out gold-rich rocks from underground mines, some grind the stones to extract the gold minerals with mercury, others purify the mercury-gold compounds. They commute from nearby villages to illegal sites deep in the bush - which may employ up to 10,000 people - working from dusk till dawn in dangerous, primitive conditions. They face government's prosecution, mercury poisoning, and being buried alive, yet thousands continue to flock to the galamsey trade that is more lucrative than the legitimate gold labor. They operate as teams and pride themselves on their bond, calling each other "brother" - gold brothers.
  • Illegal gold workers labor through the night at a remote site in the bush of Kenyasi, Ghana, West Africa, Feb. 2008. Ghana has one of the world's largest illegal gold mining industry. Estimated one million Ghanaians known locallly as "galamsey" ("gather and sell") work illegally throughout the country: some dig out gold-rich rocks from underground mines, some grind the stones to extract the gold minerals with mercury, others purify the mercury-gold compounds. They commute from nearby villages to illegal sites deep in the bush - which may employ up to 10,000 people - working from dusk till dawn in dangerous, primitive conditions. They face government's prosecution, mercury poisoning, and being buried alive, yet thousands continue to flock to the galamsey trade that is more lucrative than the legitimate gold labor. They operate as teams and pride themselves on their bond, calling each other "brother" - gold brothers.
  • Illegal gold workers labor through the night at a remote site in the bush of Kenyasi, Ghana, West Africa, Feb. 2008. Ghana has one of the world's largest illegal gold mining industry. Estimated one million Ghanaians known locallly as "galamsey" ("gather and sell") work illegally throughout the country: some dig out gold-rich rocks from underground mines, some grind the stones to extract the gold minerals with mercury, others purify the mercury-gold compounds. They commute from nearby villages to illegal sites deep in the bush - which may employ up to 10,000 people - working from dusk till dawn in dangerous, primitive conditions. They face government's prosecution, mercury poisoning, and being buried alive, yet thousands continue to flock to the galamsey trade that is more lucrative than the legitimate gold labor. They operate as teams and pride themselves on their bond, calling each other "brother" - gold brothers.
  • Illegal gold workers labor through the night under few generator-powered lights at a remote site in the bush of Kenyasi, Ghana, West Africa, Feb. 2008. Ghana has one of the world's largest illegal gold mining industry. Estimated one million Ghanaians known locallly as "galamsey" ("gather and sell") work illegally throughout the country: some dig out gold-rich rocks from underground mines, some grind the stones to extract the gold minerals with mercury, others purify the mercury-gold compounds. They commute from nearby villages to illegal sites deep in the bush - which may employ up to 10,000 people - working from dusk till dawn in dangerous, primitive conditions. They face government's prosecution, mercury poisoning, and being buried alive, yet thousands continue to flock to the galamsey trade that is more lucrative than the legitimate gold labor. They operate as teams and pride themselves on their bond, calling each other "brother" - gold brothers.
  • An illegal gold worker operates the grinder to crush the gold-containing stones to dust (from which the gold minerals are extracted) at a remote site in the bush of Kenyasi, Ghana, West Africa, Feb. 2008. Ghana has one of the world's largest illegal gold mining industry. Estimated one million Ghanaians known locallly as "galamsey" ("gather and sell") work illegally throughout the country: some dig out gold-rich rocks from underground mines, some grind the stones to extract the gold minerals with mercury, others purify the mercury-gold compounds. They commute from nearby villages to illegal sites deep in the bush - which may employ up to 10,000 people - working from dusk till dawn in dangerous, primitive conditions. They face government's prosecution, mercury poisoning, and being buried alive, yet thousands continue to flock to the galamsey trade that is more lucrative than the legitimate gold labor. They operate as teams and pride themselves on their bond, calling each other "brother" - gold brothers.
  • An illegal gold worker installs the container to catch the gold-containing stone grinds from the grinder at a remote site in the bush of Kenyasi, Ghana, West Africa, Feb. 2008. Ghana has one of the world's largest illegal gold mining industry. Estimated one million Ghanaians known locallly as "galamsey" ("gather and sell") work illegally throughout the country: some dig out gold-rich rocks from underground mines, some grind the stones to extract the gold minerals with mercury, others purify the mercury-gold compounds. They commute from nearby villages to illegal sites deep in the bush - which may employ up to 10,000 people - working from dusk till dawn in dangerous, primitive conditions. They face government's prosecution, mercury poisoning, and being buried alive, yet thousands continue to flock to the galamsey trade that is more lucrative than the legitimate gold labor. They operate as teams and pride themselves on their bond, calling each other "brother" - gold brothers.
  • Illegal gold workers eat dinner before making shifts to a remote site in the bush of Kenyasi, Ghana, West Africa, Feb. 2008. Ghana has one of the world's largest illegal gold mining industry. Estimated one million Ghanaians known locallly as "galamsey" ("gather and sell") work illegally throughout the country: some dig out gold-rich rocks from underground mines, some grind the stones to extract the gold minerals with mercury, others purify the mercury-gold compounds. They commute from nearby villages to illegal sites deep in the bush - which may employ up to 10,000 people - working from dusk till dawn in dangerous, primitive conditions. They face government's prosecution, mercury poisoning, and being buried alive, yet thousands continue to flock to the galamsey trade that is more lucrative than the legitimate gold labor. They operate as teams and pride themselves on their bond, calling each other "brother" - gold brothers.
  • An illegal gold worker calls home before making shifts to a remote site in the bush of Kenyasi, Ghana, West Africa, Feb. 2008. Ghana has one of the world's largest illegal gold mining industry. Estimated one million Ghanaians known locallly as "galamsey" ("gather and sell") work illegally throughout the country: some dig out gold-rich rocks from underground mines, some grind the stones to extract the gold minerals with mercury, others purify the mercury-gold compounds. They commute from nearby villages to illegal sites deep in the bush - which may employ up to 10,000 people - working from dusk till dawn in dangerous, primitive conditions. They face government's prosecution, mercury poisoning, and being buried alive, yet thousands continue to flock to the galamsey trade that is more lucrative than the legitimate gold labor. They operate as teams and pride themselves on their bond, calling each other "brother" - gold brothers.
  • Illegal gold workers wash the gold-containing stone grinds through a screening blanket that catches the gold minerals at a remote site in the bush of Kenyasi, Ghana, West Africa, Feb. 2008. Ghana has one of the world's largest illegal gold mining industry. Estimated one million Ghanaians known locallly as "galamsey" ("gather and sell") work illegally throughout the country: some dig out gold-rich rocks from underground mines, some grind the stones to extract the gold minerals with mercury, others purify the mercury-gold compounds. They commute from nearby villages to illegal sites deep in the bush - which may employ up to 10,000 people - working from dusk till dawn in dangerous, primitive conditions. They face government's prosecution, mercury poisoning, and being buried alive, yet thousands continue to flock to the galamsey trade that is more lucrative than the legitimate gold labor. They operate as teams and pride themselves on their bond, calling each other "brother" - gold brothers.
  • Illegal gold workers add mercury to attract gold minerals from the mixture screened from the blanket, creating an amalgam that needs to be further refined to pure gold, Ghana, West Africa, Feb. 2008. Ghana has one of the world's largest illegal gold mining industry. Estimated one million Ghanaians known locallly as "galamsey" ("gather and sell") work illegally throughout the country: some dig out gold-rich rocks from underground mines, some grind the stones to extract the gold minerals with mercury, others purify the mercury-gold compounds. They commute from nearby villages to illegal sites deep in the bush - which may employ up to 10,000 people - working from dusk till dawn in dangerous, primitive conditions. They face government's prosecution, mercury poisoning, and being buried alive, yet thousands continue to flock to the galamsey trade that is more lucrative than the legitimate gold labor. They operate as teams and pride themselves on their bond, calling each other "brother" - gold brothers.
  • The pressured and solidified amalgam that needs to be further refined to pure gold, Ghana, West Africa, Feb. 2008. Ghana has one of the world's largest illegal gold mining industry. Estimated one million Ghanaians known locallly as "galamsey" ("gather and sell") work illegally throughout the country: some dig out gold-rich rocks from underground mines, some grind the stones to extract the gold minerals with mercury, others purify the mercury-gold compounds. They commute from nearby villages to illegal sites deep in the bush - which may employ up to 10,000 people - working from dusk till dawn in dangerous, primitive conditions. They face government's prosecution, mercury poisoning, and being buried alive, yet thousands continue to flock to the galamsey trade that is more lucrative than the legitimate gold labor. They operate as teams and pride themselves on their bond, calling each other "brother" - gold brothers.
  • Illegal gold workers part separately and hitchhike away from the path to their remote site to return to town, Ghana, West Africa, Feb. 2008. Ghana has one of the world's largest illegal gold mining industry. Estimated one million Ghanaians known locallly as "galamsey" ("gather and sell") work illegally throughout the country: some dig out gold-rich rocks from underground mines, some grind the stones to extract the gold minerals with mercury, others purify the mercury-gold compounds. They commute from nearby villages to illegal sites deep in the bush - which may employ up to 10,000 people - working from dusk till dawn in dangerous, primitive conditions. They face government's prosecution, mercury poisoning, and being buried alive, yet thousands continue to flock to the galamsey trade that is more lucrative than the legitimate gold labor. They operate as teams and pride themselves on their bond, calling each other "brother" - gold brothers.
  • An illegal gold worker transports tools from the remote site back to the village of Kenyasi, Ghana, West Africa, Feb. 2008. Ghana has one of the world's largest illegal gold mining industry. Estimated one million Ghanaians known locallly as "galamsey" ("gather and sell") work illegally throughout the country: some dig out gold-rich rocks from underground mines, some grind the stones to extract the gold minerals with mercury, others purify the mercury-gold compounds. They commute from nearby villages to illegal sites deep in the bush - which may employ up to 10,000 people - working from dusk till dawn in dangerous, primitive conditions. They face government's prosecution, mercury poisoning, and being buried alive, yet thousands continue to flock to the galamsey trade that is more lucrative than the legitimate gold labor. They operate as teams and pride themselves on their bond, calling each other "brother" - gold brothers.
  • Two illegal gold workers visit the licensed surface-mining site in Konongo that used to employ them, Ghana, West Africa, Feb. 2008. Ghana has one of the world's largest illegal gold mining industry. Estimated one million Ghanaians known locallly as "galamsey" ("gather and sell") work illegally throughout the country: some dig out gold-rich rocks from underground mines, some grind the stones to extract the gold minerals with mercury, others purify the mercury-gold compounds. They commute from nearby villages to illegal sites deep in the bush - which may employ up to 10,000 people - working from dusk till dawn in dangerous, primitive conditions. They face government's prosecution, mercury poisoning, and being buried alive, yet thousands continue to flock to the galamsey trade that is more lucrative than the legitimate gold labor. They operate as teams and pride themselves on their bond, calling each other "brother" - gold brothers.
  • A former illegal gold worker is employed at a licensed mill in Konongo, which is better equipped yet poses equal health threats, Ghana, West Africa, Feb. 2008. Ghana has one of the world's largest illegal gold mining industry. Estimated one million Ghanaians known locallly as "galamsey" ("gather and sell") work illegally throughout the country: some dig out gold-rich rocks from underground mines, some grind the stones to extract the gold minerals with mercury, others purify the mercury-gold compounds. They commute from nearby villages to illegal sites deep in the bush - which may employ up to 10,000 people - working from dusk till dawn in dangerous, primitive conditions. They face government's prosecution, mercury poisoning, and being buried alive, yet thousands continue to flock to the galamsey trade that is more lucrative than the legitimate gold labor. They operate as teams and pride themselves on their bond, calling each other "brother" - gold brothers.
  • A former illegal gold worker is employed at a licensed mill in Konongo, which is better equipped yet poses equal health threats, Ghana, West Africa, Feb. 2008. Ghana has one of the world's largest illegal gold mining industry. Estimated one million Ghanaians known locallly as "galamsey" ("gather and sell") work illegally throughout the country: some dig out gold-rich rocks from underground mines, some grind the stones to extract the gold minerals with mercury, others purify the mercury-gold compounds. They commute from nearby villages to illegal sites deep in the bush - which may employ up to 10,000 people - working from dusk till dawn in dangerous, primitive conditions. They face government's prosecution, mercury poisoning, and being buried alive, yet thousands continue to flock to the galamsey trade that is more lucrative than the legitimate gold labor. They operate as teams and pride themselves on their bond, calling each other "brother" - gold brothers.
  • The owner of a gold refinery showcases a piece of purified gold, the one thing that drives gold workers, both legal and illegal, Ghana, West Africa, Feb. 2008. Ghana has one of the world's largest illegal gold mining industry. Estimated one million Ghanaians known locallly as "galamsey" ("gather and sell") work illegally throughout the country: some dig out gold-rich rocks from underground mines, some grind the stones to extract the gold minerals with mercury, others purify the mercury-gold compounds. They commute from nearby villages to illegal sites deep in the bush - which may employ up to 10,000 people - working from dusk till dawn in dangerous, primitive conditions. They face government's prosecution, mercury poisoning, and being buried alive, yet thousands continue to flock to the galamsey trade that is more lucrative than the legitimate gold labor. They operate as teams and pride themselves on their bond, calling each other "brother" - gold brothers.

Ghana has one of the world's largest illegal gold mining industry. Estimated one million Ghanaians known locallly as "galamsey" ("gather and sell") work illegally throughout the country: some dig out gold-rich rocks from underground mines, some grind the stones to extract the gold minerals with mercury, others purify the mercury-gold compounds.

They commute from nearby villages to illegal sites deep in the bush - which may employ up to 10,000 people - working...
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