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