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Miners work extremely long days under the hot sun and the hours are often longer in illegal mines in Ghana, West Africa, 2014. An Australian photographer has captured the harsh reality of illegal mining under the unforgiving sun with these Ghanaian miners. Heidi Woodman travelled to Ghana, West Africa to explore the regionís booming mining business, including the growing number of illegal mines. Using Accra as her base, Heidi visited the areas of Tarkwa, Kyebi, East Akim, Kumasi, Obuasi and Takoradi to find areas with a high concentration of galamsey – illegal mining activity. (Photo by Heidi Woodman/Barcroft Images)

Miners work extremely long days under the hot sun and the hours are often longer in illegal mines in Ghana, West Africa, 2014. An Australian photographer has captured the harsh reality of illegal mining under the unforgiving sun with these Ghanaian miners. Heidi Woodman travelled to Ghana, West Africa to explore the regionís booming mining business, including the growing number of illegal mines. Using Accra as her base, Heidi visited the areas of Tarkwa, Kyebi, East Akim, Kumasi, Obuasi and Takoradi to find areas with a high concentration of galamsey – illegal mining activity. (Photo by Heidi Woodman/Barcroft Images)



Miners work extremely long days under the hot sun and the hours are often longer in illegal mines in Ghana, West Africa, 2014. (Photo by Heidi Woodman/Barcroft Images)

Miners work extremely long days under the hot sun and the hours are often longer in illegal mines in Ghana, West Africa, 2014. (Photo by Heidi Woodman/Barcroft Images)



Miners dig away in the muddy region in search of elusive gold in Ghana, West Africa, 2014. (Photo by Heidi Woodman/Barcroft Images)

Miners dig away in the muddy region in search of elusive gold in Ghana, West Africa, 2014. (Photo by Heidi Woodman/Barcroft Images)



The photographer explored the areas of Tarkwa, Kyebi, East Akim, Kumasi, Obuasi and Takoradi to find the regions with the highest concentration of galamsey (illegal mining activity) in Ghana, West Africa, 2014. (Photo by Heidi Woodman/Barcroft Images)

The photographer explored the areas of Tarkwa, Kyebi, East Akim, Kumasi, Obuasi and Takoradi to find the regions with the highest concentration of galamsey (illegal mining activity) in Ghana, West Africa, 2014. (Photo by Heidi Woodman/Barcroft Images)



Miners dig away in the muddy region in search of elusive gold in Ghana, West Africa, 2014. (Photo by Heidi Woodman/Barcroft Images)

Miners dig away in the muddy region in search of elusive gold in Ghana, West Africa, 2014. (Photo by Heidi Woodman/Barcroft Images)



The photographer explored the areas of Tarkwa, Kyebi, East Akim, Kumasi, Obuasi and Takoradi to find the regions with the highest concentration of galamsey (illegal mining activity) in Ghana, West Africa, 2014. (Photo by Heidi Woodman/Barcroft Images)

The photographer explored the areas of Tarkwa, Kyebi, East Akim, Kumasi, Obuasi and Takoradi to find the regions with the highest concentration of galamsey (illegal mining activity) in Ghana, West Africa, 2014. (Photo by Heidi Woodman/Barcroft Images)



Two mud covered miners work in the blistering sun in Ghana, West Africa, 2014. (Photo by Heidi Woodman/Barcroft Images)

Two mud covered miners work in the blistering sun in Ghana, West Africa, 2014. (Photo by Heidi Woodman/Barcroft Images)



Miners face daily health and safety risks from chemicals and by working next to sheer pit drops in Ghana, West Africa, 2014. (Photo by Heidi Woodman/Barcroft Images)

Miners face daily health and safety risks from chemicals and by working next to sheer pit drops in Ghana, West Africa, 2014. (Photo by Heidi Woodman/Barcroft Images)



The gold mining industry has taken off since the financial crisis in the region in Ghana, West Africa, 2014. (Photo by Heidi Woodman/Barcroft Images)

The gold mining industry has taken off since the financial crisis in the region in Ghana, West Africa, 2014. (Photo by Heidi Woodman/Barcroft Images)



A mud-stained worker crouches in the water as he sifts for gold in Ghana, West Africa, 2014. (Photo by Heidi Woodman/Barcroft Images)

A mud-stained worker crouches in the water as he sifts for gold in Ghana, West Africa, 2014. (Photo by Heidi Woodman/Barcroft Images)



Small-scale illegal mines have sprung up across the region in Ghana, West Africa, 2014. (Photo by Heidi Woodman/Barcroft Images)

Small-scale illegal mines have sprung up across the region in Ghana, West Africa, 2014. (Photo by Heidi Woodman/Barcroft Images)
24 Feb 2017 00:02:00