In Mongbwalu, eastern DRC, gold is the center of attention.
Hundreds of artisanal miners — including children — venture daily into an abandoned mine, closed for security reasons, defying basic safety rules in hopes of extracting a few grams of the precious metal.
The illusion of wealth is great, as is the pollution of waterways caused by mercury used to separate gold from other minerals.
Meanwhile, Ashanti Goldfields Kilo is prospecting the hills near villages in search of a rich vein.
In Mongbwalu, gold shines as brightly as it poisons.
