Mangrove at Manzanilla Beach

A waterfall in a forest

Unregulated gold mining within a stone's throw from the village the Aucan village Nieuw Koffie Kamp in the district Brokopondo. Dozens of small-scale miners seek a livelihood in the gold sector, but use environmentally unfriendly techniques. Mercury in the processing of the precious metal is first discharged into small reservoirs, but flows in the groundwater, rivers and creeks by natural processes. Through the consumption of fish and vegetation, this toxic metal enters the human body

Suriname. Abandoned craters where processed water and mercury are caught by small scale gold miners, called porknockers. Harmful to human and nature. Gold miners continue their activities upon Gross Rosebel. Porknockers use mercury, the multinational cyanide. The difference lies in the treatment of toxic substances.

Gross Rosebel concession of Rosebel Gold Mines NV is bursting with activity. Small-scale gold miners have made themselves at home in a tolerated area, they call 'Siksi'. Residential camps, shops, heavy equipment, luxury cars are seen among small reservoirs with used water and mercury. On these gold fields the ore is also burned with mercury to obtain pure gold. The vapors released and the craters are harmful to the environment and people living in de surrounding villages.

Suriname. Water a prerequisite for transport of wood. Timber destined for export can be efficiently transported through the waterway with little impact on nature.