Ebola: Artisanal miners keep digging for gold despite virus risk

Democratic Republic of Congo

News

In eastern Congo, where the economy is heavily dependent on small-scale mining, the constant movement of miners between remote sites is complicating efforts to contain Ebola.

Miners in Iga-Barrière are battling the rising cases of Ebola with their need to pay for food and rent.

Men and women work for as little as a few dollars a day. Many of them are internally displaced people from a nearby makeshift camp, and have been fleeing conflict for decades.

Details

Others come from the surrounding towns and villages.

Miner Mechac Ngadjole Katavara, who has lost 13 members of his family, is unable to find medical treatment or vaccinations.

“The authorities don’t know what to do about this Ebola virus disease,” said Katavara, who is displaced and said he doesn’t have access to disinfectant or other means to protect himself.

Analysis

“We are displaced by war and life is difficult. That is why we have to work under these conditions,” he added.

Miner Daniel Ndjalenga Musingo, from a town called Ngatsupka, has been working in the Iga-Barrière mine for a month.

He said he tried to maintain distance in the mine and not shake hands with others, as he claims the disease is rampant in the villages around the mine.

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