Two miners pan for gold in a river near Korowai, Papua province, Indonesia, despite the risk of arrest and health hazards. Photo: AFP Two miners pan for gold in a river near Korowai, Papua province, Indonesia, despite the risk of arrest and health hazards. Photo: AFP
Two miners pan for gold in a river near Korowai, Papua province, Indonesia, despite the risk of arrest and health hazards. Photo: AFP
Asia /  Southeast Asia

Indonesians turn to illegal gold mining as coronavirus pandemic hits economy

  • The price of gold has soared, fuelling a boom in illegal panning in rivers near US company Freeport’s Grasberg mine and other places in Indonesia
  • Police arrested 400 illicit gold miners in a conservation area in Kalimantan, amid concerns the use of mercury can harm miners and the environment

Topic |   Indonesia
Agence France-Presse
Agence France-Presse

Updated: 3:41pm, 24 Sep, 2020

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Two miners pan for gold in a river near Korowai, Papua province, Indonesia, despite the risk of arrest and health hazards. Photo: AFP Two miners pan for gold in a river near Korowai, Papua province, Indonesia, despite the risk of arrest and health hazards. Photo: AFP
Two miners pan for gold in a river near Korowai, Papua province, Indonesia, despite the risk of arrest and health hazards. Photo: AFP
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