LookAtVietnam Bridge – Thousands of people have been drawn to Pac Ta commune, in Than Uyen district, the northern mountainous province of Lai Chau to seek gold.
The local government licenced 12 private companies to seek gold in Pac Ta gold mine but hundreds of people are exploiting gold illegally there.
Gold exploiting firms have dug hundreds of tunnels totalling thousands of meters long deep inside mountains which have not been tested for safety by any state agency. At least three workers have died in trench collapses but the cases have not been reported to the local administration.
Some 150 households located near Pac Ta gold mine are suffering from water pollution caused by the gold searching process.
LookAtVietnam reporters infiltrated Pac Ta to capture the following photos:
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Thousands of gold mine workers are living in hundreds of canvas tents on mountain sides. |
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A tunnel |
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Some 150 households located near Pac Ta gold mine are suffering from water pollution caused by the gold searching process. |
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As the rainy season is coming, gold workers are being challenged by landslides |
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Searching for gold |
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Dangerous |
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Illegal gold miners | |
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Finding golden hope on sands | |
Thong Thien | 
