The highest human settlement on Earth, Rinconada, in the Peruvian Andes, facing extreme conditions, lack of infrastructure, and dangerous mining activities.
Life in La Rinconada involves miners enduring brutal conditions under the catoro system, working for minimal pay and facing exploitation by mine owners. The pursuit of gold in La Rinconada reflects the human capacity to endure hardship for the promise of wealth, drawing people from all over Peru to the challenging environment. The extreme altitude of La Rinconada, at 17,000 ft, poses significant health risks due to hypoxia, causing reduced oxygen levels and impacting mental and physical functions.
The town of Lingon, with a population of 20,000 to 30,000 temporary residents, is a challenging filming location due to its lawless nature and dangerous environment. The interaction with a miner in Lingon reveals the harsh living conditions and dangerous nature of the town, where residents face health risks but adapt over time. Despite the risks and lawlessness in Lingon, some residents are forced to stay due to lack of job opportunities elsewhere, leading to a sense of respect for the tough environment.
Mercury contamination from gold extraction in a town poses severe health and environmental risks, affecting water sources and the community beyond. Miners face neurological and reproductive damage, making lakes and streams undrinkable. Impact of mercury contamination on the environment and community. The heavy use of mercury in gold extraction pollutes land and water, extending beyond town borders, causing severe health issues for miners and the wider community.
Consequences of mercury contamination on water sources. Lakes and streams are contaminated, becoming undrinkable due to mercury from gold extraction, posing a serious threat to the environment and public health. Miners' awareness of environmental responsibility express concern about pollution and advocate for responsible waste disposal to protect the environment from further degradation caused by such activities.
