DRC Diggers (7 images)

19 January 2008, Kolwezi, DRC. Diggers, the local term used for informal, sometimes illegal miners, dig in discarded mine dumps for cobalt, copper and other minerals. Some of this they sell back to the mining company that holds the concession, or to Chinese traders. Desperation forces them to dig as deep as 20 metres under the surface. There are several deaths a year from tunnels collapsing on these brave men.