Gold Mining in Peru

LA RINCONADA, PERU - AUGUST 4: Pallaqueras, female gold miners, pick through the tailings, searching for gold around the gold mines in La Rinconada, Peru, 4 August 2012. During the last decade, the rising price of the gold has attracted thousands of people to La Rinconada in the Peruvian Andes. At 5300 metres above sea level, nearly 50.000 people work in the gold mines and live in the nearby colonies without running water, sewage system or heating service. Although the work in the mines is very dangerous (falling rocks, poisonous gases and a shifting glacier), the majority of miners have no contract and operate under the cachorreo system - working 30 days without payment and taking the gold they supposedly find the 31st day as the only salary. In spite of a demaged environment, caused by mercury contamination from the mining and the lack of garbage disposal, people continue to flock to the region hoping to find their fortune. (Photo by Jan Sochor/Latincontent/Getty Images)