"Operational problems"

#1216238

19 May 2016

SHUSHI, NAGORNO-KARABAKH - on Wednesday, May 18, 2016: A young girl is playing near an appartment-block, used for families internally displaced from the border regions due to the Nagorno-Karabakh war. Military operations continued to affect the civilian population and numbers concerning refugees and internally displaced persons are disputed on both sides. The total 300,000 estimated number of Armenians left their homes in Azerbaijan, 30,000 of them were resettled in N-K and the Lachin district. 800,000 Azerbaijanis are on the exil, including around 200,000 refugees from Armenia and around 600.000 internally displaced persons from the zone of conflict. This situation creates demographic problems, the population of the area has shrunk by almost 70% in the past two decades. During Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, authorities evacuated approximately 65,000 households from the border area, with many later returning. In 2008, the authorities approved a program to assist in the resettlement of over 600 displaced families during the NK conflict; however, there was no funding to implement the program.

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#1068881

24 Feb 2016

A small-scale gold mining worker climbs down the underground pit with the help of a rope in Tawig village outside Palacale in Camarines Norte, Philippines on 8 February.The town of Paracale in Camarines Norte, is one of the oldest town of small-scale gold mining operation in Philippines. It is estimated that gold was discovered beneath it in 1626, during Spanish ruled, and Spaniards worked the gold-bearing gravel in its rivers and streams. After almost four hundreds years, Palacale has still attracted prospectors, miners and casual labors. Meanwhile, Gold mining has long been a risky business especially for underground mining workers. Small-scale mining workers are always risk of injury and death from accidents. Moreover, they, including many children, suffer lung damage due to breathing dust and particulates, or range of neurological problems due to exposure to mercury, which is used to separate the gold from the rock and the sand. Mercury cause harmful not only to mining workers but also to locals who don't live or work in mining areas. Because mercury-contaminated water flows from mining areas into the river, where children play and fish live in.Three years ago, the government shut underground pits down along the coast near Palacale. Because more than one hundred mining workers died during mining operation in this area for a few years. But since last year, these pits have reopened and started mining operation again. Anonymous workers and residents say some local politicians accepted to open these pits again for the next election or a bribe. It is estimated that ninety percent of gold in Philippines is traded at the black markets or smuggled out of the country.

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#1068882

24 Feb 2016

A young gold mining worker checks a underground pit and operates a rope for pulling gold ore up in Maning village in Camarines Norte, Philippines on 9 February.The town of Paracale in Camarines Norte, is one of the oldest town of small-scale gold mining operation in Philippines. It is estimated that gold was discovered beneath it in 1626, during Spanish ruled, and Spaniards worked the gold-bearing gravel in its rivers and streams. After almost four hundreds years, Palacale has still attracted prospectors, miners and casual labors. Meanwhile, Gold mining has long been a risky business especially for underground mining workers. Small-scale mining workers are always risk of injury and death from accidents. Moreover, they, including many children, suffer lung damage due to breathing dust and particulates, or range of neurological problems due to exposure to mercury, which is used to separate the gold from the rock and the sand. Mercury cause harmful not only to mining workers but also to locals who don't live or work in mining areas. Because mercury-contaminated water flows from mining areas into the river, where children play and fish live in.Three years ago, the government shut underground pits down along the coast near Palacale. Because more than one hundred mining workers died during mining operation in this area for a few years. But since last year, these pits have reopened and started mining operation again. Anonymous workers and residents say some local politicians accepted to open these pits again for the next election or a bribe. It is estimated that ninety percent of gold in Philippines is traded at the black markets or smuggled out of the country.

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#1068886

24 Feb 2016

A young gold mining worker pull a heavy load with raw gold ores up from a underground pit with a elderly colleague in Maning village in Camarines Norte, Philippines on 9 February.The town of Paracale in Camarines Norte, is one of the oldest town of small-scale gold mining operation in Philippines. It is estimated that gold was discovered beneath it in 1626, during Spanish ruled, and Spaniards worked the gold-bearing gravel in its rivers and streams. After almost four hundreds years, Palacale has still attracted prospectors, miners and casual labors. Meanwhile, Gold mining has long been a risky business especially for underground mining workers. Small-scale mining workers are always risk of injury and death from accidents. Moreover, they, including many children, suffer lung damage due to breathing dust and particulates, or range of neurological problems due to exposure to mercury, which is used to separate the gold from the rock and the sand. Mercury cause harmful not only to mining workers but also to locals who don't live or work in mining areas. Because mercury-contaminated water flows from mining areas into the river, where children play and fish live in.Three years ago, the government shut underground pits down along the coast near Palacale. Because more than one hundred mining workers died during mining operation in this area for a few years. But since last year, these pits have reopened and started mining operation again. Anonymous workers and residents say some local politicians accepted to open these pits again for the next election or a bribe. It is estimated that ninety percent of gold in Philippines is traded at the black markets or smuggled out of the country.

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#1068888

24 Feb 2016

A worker pans for gold with mercury for attracted the gold particles and form an amalgam with the gold in Maning village in Camarines Norte, Philippines on 9 February.The town of Paracale in Camarines Norte, is one of the oldest town of small-scale gold mining operation in Philippines. It is estimated that gold was discovered beneath it in 1626, during Spanish ruled, and Spaniards worked the gold-bearing gravel in its rivers and streams. After almost four hundreds years, Palacale has still attracted prospectors, miners and casual labors. Meanwhile, Gold mining has long been a risky business especially for underground mining workers. Small-scale mining workers are always risk of injury and death from accidents. Moreover, they, including many children, suffer lung damage due to breathing dust and particulates, or range of neurological problems due to exposure to mercury, which is used to separate the gold from the rock and the sand. Mercury cause harmful not only to mining workers but also to locals who don't live or work in mining areas. Because mercury-contaminated water flows from mining areas into the river, where children play and fish live in.Three years ago, the government shut underground pits down along the coast near Palacale. Because more than one hundred mining workers died during mining operation in this area for a few years. But since last year, these pits have reopened and started mining operation again. Anonymous workers and residents say some local politicians accepted to open these pits again for the next election or a bribe. It is estimated that ninety percent of gold in Philippines is traded at the black markets or smuggled out of the country.

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#1068889

24 Feb 2016

A worker uses a wide wooden pan to separate gold from sediment with mercury in Maning village in Camarines Norte, Philippines on 9 February.The town of Paracale in Camarines Norte, is one of the oldest town of small-scale gold mining operation in Philippines. It is estimated that gold was discovered beneath it in 1626, during Spanish ruled, and Spaniards worked the gold-bearing gravel in its rivers and streams. After almost four hundreds years, Palacale has still attracted prospectors, miners and casual labors. Meanwhile, Gold mining has long been a risky business especially for underground mining workers. Small-scale mining workers are always risk of injury and death from accidents. Moreover, they, including many children, suffer lung damage due to breathing dust and particulates, or range of neurological problems due to exposure to mercury, which is used to separate the gold from the rock and the sand. Mercury cause harmful not only to mining workers but also to locals who don't live or work in mining areas. Because mercury-contaminated water flows from mining areas into the river, where children play and fish live in.Three years ago, the government shut underground pits down along the coast near Palacale. Because more than one hundred mining workers died during mining operation in this area for a few years. But since last year, these pits have reopened and started mining operation again. Anonymous workers and residents say some local politicians accepted to open these pits again for the next election or a bribe. It is estimated that ninety percent of gold in Philippines is traded at the black markets or smuggled out of the country.

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#1068893

24 Feb 2016

An elder gold mining worker smashes the rocks from the underground pit by a hammer for the process of refining gold in Maning village in Camarines Norte, Philippines on 9 February.The town of Paracale in Camarines Norte, is one of the oldest town of small-scale gold mining operation in Philippines. It is estimated that gold was discovered beneath it in 1626, during Spanish ruled, and Spaniards worked the gold-bearing gravel in its rivers and streams. After almost four hundreds years, Palacale has still attracted prospectors, miners and casual labors. Meanwhile, Gold mining has long been a risky business especially for underground mining workers. Small-scale mining workers are always risk of injury and death from accidents. Moreover, they, including many children, suffer lung damage due to breathing dust and particulates, or range of neurological problems due to exposure to mercury, which is used to separate the gold from the rock and the sand. Mercury cause harmful not only to mining workers but also to locals who don't live or work in mining areas. Because mercury-contaminated water flows from mining areas into the river, where children play and fish live in.Three years ago, the government shut underground pits down along the coast near Palacale. Because more than one hundred mining workers died during mining operation in this area for a few years. But since last year, these pits have reopened and started mining operation again. Anonymous workers and residents say some local politicians accepted to open these pits again for the next election or a bribe. It is estimated that ninety percent of gold in Philippines is traded at the black markets or smuggled out of the country.

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#1068895

24 Feb 2016

Underground pits are lined along the coast at Blaay village in Camarines Norte, Philippines on 7 February.The town of Paracale in Camarines Norte, is one of the oldest town of small-scale gold mining operation in Philippines. It is estimated that gold was discovered beneath it in 1626, during Spanish ruled, and Spaniards worked the gold-bearing gravel in its rivers and streams. After almost four hundreds years, Palacale has still attracted prospectors, miners and casual labors. Meanwhile, Gold mining has long been a risky business especially for underground mining workers. Small-scale mining workers are always risk of injury and death from accidents. Moreover, they, including many children, suffer lung damage due to breathing dust and particulates, or range of neurological problems due to exposure to mercury, which is used to separate the gold from the rock and the sand. Mercury cause harmful not only to mining workers but also to locals who don't live or work in mining areas. Because mercury-contaminated water flows from mining areas into the river, where children play and fish live in.Three years ago, the government shut underground pits down along the coast near Palacale. Because more than one hundred mining workers died during mining operation in this area for a few years. But since last year, these pits have reopened and started mining operation again. Anonymous workers and residents say some local politicians accepted to open these pits again for the next election or a bribe. It is estimated that ninety percent of gold in Philippines is traded at the black markets or smuggled out of the country.

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#1068896

24 Feb 2016

A veteran craftsman heats gold to make jewelries in Palacale, Camarines Norte, Philippines on 7 February.The town of Paracale in Camarines Norte, is one of the oldest town of small-scale gold mining operation in Philippines. It is estimated that gold was discovered beneath it in 1626, during Spanish ruled, and Spaniards worked the gold-bearing gravel in its rivers and streams. After almost four hundreds years, Palacale has still attracted prospectors, miners and casual labors. Meanwhile, Gold mining has long been a risky business especially for underground mining workers. Small-scale mining workers are always risk of injury and death from accidents. Moreover, they, including many children, suffer lung damage due to breathing dust and particulates, or range of neurological problems due to exposure to mercury, which is used to separate the gold from the rock and the sand. Mercury cause harmful not only to mining workers but also to locals who don't live or work in mining areas. Because mercury-contaminated water flows from mining areas into the river, where children play and fish live in.Three years ago, the government shut underground pits down along the coast near Palacale. Because more than one hundred mining workers died during mining operation in this area for a few years. But since last year, these pits have reopened and started mining operation again. Anonymous workers and residents say some local politicians accepted to open these pits again for the next election or a bribe. It is estimated that ninety percent of gold in Philippines is traded at the black markets or smuggled out of the country.

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#1068898

24 Feb 2016

A gold mining worker walks a muddy ally toward to the pit at Blaay village in Camarines Norte, Philippines on 7 February.The town of Paracale in Camarines Norte, is one of the oldest town of small-scale gold mining operation in Philippines. It is estimated that gold was discovered beneath it in 1626, during Spanish ruled, and Spaniards worked the gold-bearing gravel in its rivers and streams. After almost four hundreds years, Palacale has still attracted prospectors, miners and casual labors. Meanwhile, Gold mining has long been a risky business especially for underground mining workers. Small-scale mining workers are always risk of injury and death from accidents. Moreover, they, including many children, suffer lung damage due to breathing dust and particulates, or range of neurological problems due to exposure to mercury, which is used to separate the gold from the rock and the sand. Mercury cause harmful not only to mining workers but also to locals who don't live or work in mining areas. Because mercury-contaminated water flows from mining areas into the river, where children play and fish live in.Three years ago, the government shut underground pits down along the coast near Palacale. Because more than one hundred mining workers died during mining operation in this area for a few years. But since last year, these pits have reopened and started mining operation again. Anonymous workers and residents say some local politicians accepted to open these pits again for the next election or a bribe. It is estimated that ninety percent of gold in Philippines is traded at the black markets or smuggled out of the country.

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#1068899

24 Feb 2016

A man filters the sand and the rock to find gold particles beside the river below gold mining sites near Maning village in Camarines Norte, Philippines on 9 February.The town of Paracale in Camarines Norte, is one of the oldest town of small-scale gold mining operation in Philippines. It is estimated that gold was discovered beneath it in 1626, during Spanish ruled, and Spaniards worked the gold-bearing gravel in its rivers and streams. After almost four hundreds years, Palacale has still attracted prospectors, miners and casual labors. Meanwhile, Gold mining has long been a risky business especially for underground mining workers. Small-scale mining workers are always risk of injury and death from accidents. Moreover, they, including many children, suffer lung damage due to breathing dust and particulates, or range of neurological problems due to exposure to mercury, which is used to separate the gold from the rock and the sand. Mercury cause harmful not only to mining workers but also to locals who don't live or work in mining areas. Because mercury-contaminated water flows from mining areas into the river, where children play and fish live in.Three years ago, the government shut underground pits down along the coast near Palacale. Because more than one hundred mining workers died during mining operation in this area for a few years. But since last year, these pits have reopened and started mining operation again. Anonymous workers and residents say some local politicians accepted to open these pits again for the next election or a bribe. It is estimated that ninety percent of gold in Philippines is traded at the black markets or smuggled out of the country.

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#1068910

24 Feb 2016

The main road toward to Palacale from Manila in Camarines Norte, Philippines on 9 February.The town of Paracale in Camarines Norte, is one of the oldest town of small-scale gold mining operation in Philippines. It is estimated that gold was discovered beneath it in 1626, during Spanish ruled, and Spaniards worked the gold-bearing gravel in its rivers and streams. After almost four hundreds years, Palacale has still attracted prospectors, miners and casual labors. Meanwhile, Gold mining has long been a risky business especially for underground mining workers. Small-scale mining workers are always risk of injury and death from accidents. Moreover, they, including many children, suffer lung damage due to breathing dust and particulates, or range of neurological problems due to exposure to mercury, which is used to separate the gold from the rock and the sand. Mercury cause harmful not only to mining workers but also to locals who don't live or work in mining areas. Because mercury-contaminated water flows from mining areas into the river, where children play and fish live in.Three years ago, the government shut underground pits down along the coast near Palacale. Because more than one hundred mining workers died during mining operation in this area for a few years. But since last year, these pits have reopened and started mining operation again. Anonymous workers and residents say some local politicians accepted to open these pits again for the next election or a bribe. It is estimated that ninety percent of gold in Philippines is traded at the black markets or smuggled out of the country.

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#1068905

24 Feb 2016

Gamblers and spectators watch a cockfight at Batobalani cockpit in Camarines Norte, Philippines on 7 February. Many gold mining workers crowd and gamble on the cockpit every weekend.The town of Paracale in Camarines Norte, is one of the oldest town of small-scale gold mining operation in Philippines. It is estimated that gold was discovered beneath it in 1626, during Spanish ruled, and Spaniards worked the gold-bearing gravel in its rivers and streams. After almost four hundreds years, Palacale has still attracted prospectors, miners and casual labors. Meanwhile, Gold mining has long been a risky business especially for underground mining workers. Small-scale mining workers are always risk of injury and death from accidents. Moreover, they, including many children, suffer lung damage due to breathing dust and particulates, or range of neurological problems due to exposure to mercury, which is used to separate the gold from the rock and the sand. Mercury cause harmful not only to mining workers but also to locals who don't live or work in mining areas. Because mercury-contaminated water flows from mining areas into the river, where children play and fish live in.Three years ago, the government shut underground pits down along the coast near Palacale. Because more than one hundred mining workers died during mining operation in this area for a few years. But since last year, these pits have reopened and started mining operation again. Anonymous workers and residents say some local politicians accepted to open these pits again for the next election or a bribe. It is estimated that ninety percent of gold in Philippines is traded at the black markets or smuggled out of the country.

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#1068879

24 Feb 2016

A gold mining worker carries a load out to Maning village in Camarines Norte, Philippines on 9 February. Locals basically use the motorcycle for transportation to Maning village. But they have to walk from the main road to the village for two hours after the rains due to muddy roads.The town of Paracale in Camarines Norte, is one of the oldest town of small-scale gold mining operation in Philippines. It is estimated that gold was discovered beneath it in 1626, during Spanish ruled, and Spaniards worked the gold-bearing gravel in its rivers and streams. After almost four hundreds years, Palacale has still attracted prospectors, miners and casual labors. Meanwhile, Gold mining has long been a risky business especially for underground mining workers. Small-scale mining workers are always risk of injury and death from accidents. Moreover, they, including many children, suffer lung damage due to breathing dust and particulates, or range of neurological problems due to exposure to mercury, which is used to separate the gold from the rock and the sand. Mercury cause harmful not only to mining workers but also to locals who don't live or work in mining areas. Because mercury-contaminated water flows from mining areas into the river, where children play and fish live in.Three years ago, the government shut underground pits down along the coast near Palacale. Because more than one hundred mining workers died during mining operation in this area for a few years. But since last year, these pits have reopened and started mining operation again. Anonymous workers and residents say some local politicians accepted to open these pits again for the next election or a bribe. It is estimated that ninety percent of gold in Philippines is traded at the black markets or smuggled out of the country.

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#1068880

24 Feb 2016

After a heavy rain, mining workers search for gold ore from the sand and the rock in Maning village in Camarines Norte, Philippines on 9 February. Almost residents, an estimated seven hundreds, are engaged in gold mining business.The town of Paracale in Camarines Norte, is one of the oldest town of small-scale gold mining operation in Philippines. It is estimated that gold was discovered beneath it in 1626, during Spanish ruled, and Spaniards worked the gold-bearing gravel in its rivers and streams. After almost four hundreds years, Palacale has still attracted prospectors, miners and casual labors. Meanwhile, Gold mining has long been a risky business especially for underground mining workers. Small-scale mining workers are always risk of injury and death from accidents. Moreover, they, including many children, suffer lung damage due to breathing dust and particulates, or range of neurological problems due to exposure to mercury, which is used to separate the gold from the rock and the sand. Mercury cause harmful not only to mining workers but also to locals who don't live or work in mining areas. Because mercury-contaminated water flows from mining areas into the river, where children play and fish live in.Three years ago, the government shut underground pits down along the coast near Palacale. Because more than one hundred mining workers died during mining operation in this area for a few years. But since last year, these pits have reopened and started mining operation again. Anonymous workers and residents say some local politicians accepted to open these pits again for the next election or a bribe. It is estimated that ninety percent of gold in Philippines is traded at the black markets or smuggled out of the country.

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#1068884

24 Feb 2016

Mining workers climb down a underground pit, which is the depth of more than 50 meters, with the help of only ropes in Tawig village in Camarines Norte, Philippines on 8 February.The town of Paracale in Camarines Norte, is one of the oldest town of small-scale gold mining operation in Philippines. It is estimated that gold was discovered beneath it in 1626, during Spanish ruled, and Spaniards worked the gold-bearing gravel in its rivers and streams. After almost four hundreds years, Palacale has still attracted prospectors, miners and casual labors. Meanwhile, Gold mining has long been a risky business especially for underground mining workers. Small-scale mining workers are always risk of injury and death from accidents. Moreover, they, including many children, suffer lung damage due to breathing dust and particulates, or range of neurological problems due to exposure to mercury, which is used to separate the gold from the rock and the sand. Mercury cause harmful not only to mining workers but also to locals who don't live or work in mining areas. Because mercury-contaminated water flows from mining areas into the river, where children play and fish live in.Three years ago, the government shut underground pits down along the coast near Palacale. Because more than one hundred mining workers died during mining operation in this area for a few years. But since last year, these pits have reopened and started mining operation again. Anonymous workers and residents say some local politicians accepted to open these pits again for the next election or a bribe. It is estimated that ninety percent of gold in Philippines is traded at the black markets or smuggled out of the country.

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