How People Risk Their Lives Hunting For Gems, Pearls, and Gold | Risky Business | Insider News
Insider News・2 minutes read
Miners in Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan face perilous conditions to extract valuable gems and precious metals, with workers earning minimal wages while dealing with health and environmental risks during extraction and processing. Despite challenges, the gem and jewelry industries continue to thrive, contributing to the livelihoods of thousands of workers and the global market for luxury goods, showcasing the intricate processes and dedication behind each piece.
Insights
- Gem miners in Sri Lanka face perilous conditions in deep tunnels, using basic tools and facing risks of collapse, while earning meager salaries despite the potential for finding valuable stones, showcasing the stark contrast between the risks taken and the rewards received in the industry.
- The global issue of E-Waste recycling persists due to manufacturers' lack of incentives to design products for recycling, highlighting the need for sustainable practices and local solutions like Mint's innovative approach of using microorganisms to extract precious metals from electronic waste, aiming to address the environmental and health risks associated with E-Waste disposal.
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Recent questions
How do gem miners in Sri Lanka work?
Gem miners in Sri Lanka work in deep, flooded tunnels using air pumps for ventilation. They face risks of collapse while earning a basic salary of 1200 rupees per week. Workers may find stones worth nothing or precious gems like blue sapphires, which are cut and polished for sale.
What is the process of extracting gold from electronic waste?
A company in Pakistan, Samuel, searches through sewer waste for scraps of gold discarded by jewelers. He uses acid and heat to extract the gold from the waste. The company aims to deal with E-Waste locally by using microorganisms to concentrate precious metals like gold from electronic waste.
How do glass bangle factories impact the environment?
Glass bangle factories in Ferozabad, near the Taj Mahal, were identified as major polluters causing the Taj Mahal's white marble to turn yellow due to smoke emissions. Authorities ordered the factories to switch from burning coal to natural gas. Over 500,000 craftsmen work in the industry, generating $150 million annually from glass bangle exports.
What are the risks and profits of the glass bangle industry?
Women in glass bangle workshops in Ferozabad earn $6 a day crafting intricate bangles by melting glass over flames. Some ornamental work is done at home by younger workers. Despite the ban on child labor, children like Kinnari Sony Yadav and Dali Yadav assist their families to earn $9 a day. Vimal, a worker in the industry, hopes to start a milk business despite the industry's risks and low profits.
How do gem miners in Afghanistan operate?
In Afghanistan, miners like Habib and his cousins use dynamite to mine for gems in treacherous conditions. The Taliban's presence complicates sales, as they struggle to find international buyers and rely on local jewelers. Miners face dangerous conditions to find emeralds and tourmaline, with the risk of not being able to sell their gems due to the political situation in the country.
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