WangNuaGold

22 APRIL 2014 - WANG NUA, LAMPANG, THAILAND: A boy carries his gold mining supplies downriver while he pans for gold in the Mae Wang. Villagers in the Wang Nua district of Lampang province found gold in the Mae Wang (Wang River) in 2011 after excavation crews dug out sand for a construction project. A subsequent Thai government survey of the river showed "a fair amount of gold ore," but not enough gold to justify commercial mining. Now every year when the river level drops farmers from the district come to the river to pan for gold. Some have been able to add to their family income by 2,000 to 3,000 Baht (about $65 to $100 US) every month. The gold miners work the river bed starting in mid-February and finish up by mid-May depending on the weather. They stop panning when the river level rises from the rains. This year the Thai government is predicting a serious drought which may allow miners to work longer into the summer. PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ

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Filename: WangNuaGold015.jpg
Copyright: © Jack Kurtz
Image Size: 3456x4608 / 11.2MB; 042214 Climate Change Drought Gold Labor Lampang Manual Labor Mine Mineral Extraction Mining River Wang Nua
Contained in galleries: Panning for Gold in Lampang, Thailand (All)

22 APRIL 2014 - WANG NUA, LAMPANG, THAILAND: A boy carries his gold mining supplies downriver while he pans for gold in the Mae Wang. Villagers in the Wang Nua district of Lampang province found gold in the Mae Wang (Wang River) in 2011 after excavation crews dug out sand for a construction project. A subsequent Thai government survey of the river showed "a fair amount of gold ore," but not enough gold to justify commercial mining. Now every year when the river level drops farmers from the district come to the river to pan for gold. Some have been able to add to their family income by 2,000 to 3,000 Baht (about $65 to $100 US) every month. The gold miners work the river bed starting in mid-February and finish up by mid-May depending on the weather. They stop panning when the river level rises from the rains. This year the Thai government is predicting a serious drought which may allow miners to work longer into the summer. PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ