Illegal gold mining in Indonesia | DW Documentary 

The old saying "as mad a hatter" is from the Victorian gentlemen Top-hats. The hatter polished the hat with mercury, so they were inhaling vapours all day. Many went completely mad and died.

When you see government officials refusing to comment, then you know they're involved

What a comprehensive and informative documentary ❤❤

we evolved by innovation, and were killed by greed...

Excellent documentary ,heartbreaking devastating topic. 😢..

These corrupt officials are the ones who REALLY shouldn't be doing things like this. They should be punished.

always learn new things from DW

Interesting how much of the global gold supply (used for things such as electronics and jewelry) comes from independent mining operations.

So sad... Greed for gold has doomed so many poor people and their offspring.

Same problem here in Ghana 🇬🇭

Man's hunger for more yielding the reward in shape of chaos.

Again another outstanding documentary! DW you are the best!

Went in lombok 2 months ago , when yur à simple tourist there ,u never witness this , it s just a paradise island ! Thanks for show us the reality of the locals.

Man, I love these documentary quality.

Thanks! DW

There s a lot of shops selling gold jewelry ,beautiful pearls to for tourists in lombok , i understand why thanks to u. This island is beautiful, sad to destroy it for tourism

It’s amazing that your country is so caught up in other countries issues when you should be looking in your own backyard

Very interesting. Thank you.

Great documentary 😊

It's amazing the amount of people who think and say so many stupid things, did the really see the documentary? Did they really understand? The solution is not easy, if they stop mining gold, another ilegal miner will do it.

Thanks, great documentary. I live in Indonesia. Unfortunately when there is little regulation, and what regulation exists is rarely enforced - people with very little who see a “relatively” easy way of making money and can externalise many of the risks and costs, well, there’s only one thing that is going to happen…

Such a vicious cycle!

Please come to Ghana , the situation is bad

Gosh, I am pretty sure that we have the same problem here in RSA particularly with the Zama Zamas mining.

Dw is the best ❤

What a devastatingly depressing documentary.

So tourists visiting Indonesia must be cautious 😢

5th generation Montana kid with a deep understanding of gold mining and mercury in the 1800's. We are still paying the environmental price for it in 2024.

Heartbreaking. No gold is worth the health of your family. This young man must find a new way to earn money somehow. The government should step in.

Mohon warga Indonesia, khususnya yg berasal dari daerah Lombok Barat, agar membagikan link channel RU-vid ini, kepada saudara-saudaranya di Lombok Barat (sekitar lokasi tambang illegal tambang emas), sehingga mereka bisa melaporkan gejala-gejala serupa, kepada Anggota DPRD setempat. We ask Indonesian citizens, especially those from the West Lombok area, to share this RU-vid channel link with their relatives in West Lombok (around the illegal gold mining location), so that they can report similar symptoms to local DPRD (house of representative) members.

I'm a miner and we don't use mercury. We extract the gold manually. We pan the grind ores manually even if it takes us a day to do the process yet we can extract gold safely😡

Right on time to download it and watch it on the plane

I really love the voice over! I hope all documentaries do this. Its really annoying to read subtitles

ITS EDUCATION, YOU CAN DO THE SAME THING WITH BORAX AND NOT POISON YOUR VILLAGE....

Great documentation on illegal mining. We have a similar situation in Ghana - Galamsay. Most of river bodies have been destroyed. We are yet to see the full scale of the its effect.

terrifying

who provides the mercury?

It is dangerous to eat or feeding when a person is lying on back. They need advice on this.

Always a connection to money and always the bottom rung of that ladder suffers. It’s a shame.

The problem with humanity is that we are too innovative. We desire to start pioneering in new technology and yet we are slow to fine tune what have created.

i got it. not taxed by government is called 'illegal gold'

AI says: "The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for mercury in drinking water at 2 parts per billion (ppb), or 0.002 milligrams per liter (mg/L)" >>> Now, the amount of water contaminated in Indonesia is unbearable, criminal, total destruction of the environment and of any kind of life form.

OMG...😢

Government has to step in stop all these things. And help save their life.

They can be farmers or fishermen. Now that they know the devastating effect of gold mining.

Let's always do alot of good ❤️

I help these poor people and children a lot by buying gold, thanks to which they can afford to eat. The only problem is the government that forces them to work so hard, there is no other job so they have no choice.

apakah penggunaan merkuri juga bisa mengakibatkan mutasi genetika juga? Kami harap segera menghentikan penggunaan merkuri ini, karena sangat berbahaya dan beracun

if they were told that the mercury would poison many innocent people, would they still do it? Yes, because they need the money.

Gold is so pricy that's why temptation occurred 😢

Poor babies

Gold price all time high

The cost of greed is the blood of children and the death of generational families.

how dare someone dig for rocks.....MADNESS

Can't they just run the broken down sediment thru a sluice box and then pan out the gold?

Save this for bedtime

Nothing illegal about mining gold, it seems, since the poor people are doing it in the open to earn a living on their own. More than illegality of the gold-mining activity in Lombok, the government should intervene to secure the safety of these poor people. It should provide education, health care (particularly to the mothers and their young), and even tools (masks, proper dumping sites, etc.), as compared to the provision of condoms, syringes for the prostitutes and drug users in the western world.

I'm only 16 minutes into this documentary & made me think twice about my gold plated earrings I have...At what cost is this "precious gold" at really!?!?! Is it really worth it? NO!!! If you think otherwise, it's more than obvious what you feel towards others in poverty, others in general & beyond horrible morals & character! It's so upsetting that this is a necessary life choice for so many people! I don't think it's worth it at all & I'm so glad I know this information now! Thank you DW!!! I'm going to only buy titanium steel jewelery/Steel that is used in surgeries, with 1st time piercings etc, from now on! 110%

if you're gonna upload documentary about gold mining in indonesia, cover the part where Freeport, american company, enslaved black skinned aboriginal tribe in west papua to mine gold for them. yes, black slavery exist and its on the far east, other side of the earth. away from western eyes and media. now west papua native formed separatist group trying to get freedom from these black slavery issues.

Poverty is so bad😢

where do they get the mercury from? isn't it supposed to be hard to come by? If the government cracks down on the mercury source, gold mining will become too expensive.

We Are Waste

Earning twice as much mining than fishing doesn't seem a good reason to poison your family and community. Maybe have less/zero kids instead?

Maybe this channel could make a documentary highlighting the worlds largest corporations and the damage they do to the environment, lets be honest, thats where most of the pollution comes from.

An incredible 😲 and truthful documentary documentary about a darkside of Indonesia... thank you (DW) documentary channel. this problem belongs to utilizing Mercury's not legality or illegally... Then poverty is imposing human beings accepting every humbled condition, practicing it. This work is harmful for humans, the environment, livestock, and ecosystem....what a madness lifestyle 😮

To be fair if he's using the reading from inside the tumble device, yeah it'll be huge. I'm not saying they're wrong, not at all You know he's serious and wants to get the point across when he switches to English.

there's nothing illegal going on without intuitional involvement, everyone is on cahoots the entire time.

People got to eat, god speed 🖤

I understand the environmental damage being done by Mercury however It's a glaring reality that many individuals turn to illegal gold mining out of sheer necessity, as it often represents their only viable means of income in regions plagued by poverty and lack of economic opportunity. Condemning these miners without acknowledging the systemic factors that drive them to such desperate measures is not only unjust but also perpetuates the cycle of poverty and exploitation. When we advocate for crackdowns on illegal mining without offering viable alternatives for livelihoods, we're essentially turning a blind eye to the root causes of the issue. These miners aren't inherently criminals; they're individuals grappling with the harsh realities of a system that marginalizes and excludes them from legitimate economic opportunities. It's crucial to condemn not just the actions of illegal mining but also the systemic injustices that force people into such precarious situations. The focus should be on addressing the underlying socio-economic factors that push individuals into illegal mining in the first place. This entails challenging the structures of inequality and advocating for policies that promote inclusive development and sustainable livelihoods. Furthermore, those who perpetuate the narrative of illegal mining often benefit from the very system that exploits these marginalized communities. By condemning the miners without addressing the systemic issues at play, they effectively absolve themselves of responsibility and uphold a status quo that thrives on inequality and exploitation. Ultimately, true condemnation should be directed towards the systemic injustices that trap individuals in cycles of poverty and exploitation, rather than solely targeting those who are forced to engage in illegal activities as a means of survival. It's imperative that we advocate for systemic change and work towards creating a more equitable and just society where all individuals have access to dignified livelihoods and opportunities for prosperity. In our society, the pursuit of wealth often takes precedence over all other considerations. This relentless drive for financial gain is deeply ingrained within our economic system and collective mindset. Individuals feel compelled to prioritize monetary success above all else, as IT'S THE FRAMEWORK WE'VE CONSTRUCTED FOR OURSELVES. CONSEQUENTLY, many find themselves compelled to engage in occupations that pose significant risks to their well-being, such as mining. Within the mining industry, this dynamic is starkly evident. Despite the inherent dangers associated with mining work, individuals are left with little choice but to undertake these perilous jobs. The promise of financial reward, albeit disproportionately distributed, outweighs the risks for many. As a result, miners often endure hazardous conditions and labor-intensive work in pursuit of a livelihood. Yet, the benefits of this toil are seldom equitably distributed. While miners put their lives on the line, the lion's share of the wealth generated flows to a privileged few. Financial institutions, investors, and corporations profit immensely from the extraction and trade of precious resources like gold. This concentration of wealth exacerbates existing disparities, widening the gap between the affluent minority and the laboring majority. Our current economic system perpetuates a cycle where the pursuit of profit trumps all other considerations, leading to exploitation and inequality. Addressing this systemic issue requires a fundamental shift in societal values and structures, prioritizing equitable distribution of resources and fair labor practices. Only through collective action and advocacy can we hope to create a more just and sustainable economic paradigm. The relentless pursuit of profit frequently compels individuals to engage in precarious and often exploitative labor, such as mining, where risks to health and safety abound. Despite the peril, only a select few enjoy the lion's share of the rewards, perpetuating deep-seated disparities within our economic systems. These disparities underscore broader systemic inequalities that plague our societies, presenting formidable challenges to rectify. Addressing these entrenched issues demands multifaceted approaches, encompassing systemic reforms like the implementation of fair labor practices and wealth redistribution measures. However, achieving meaningful change also necessitates a fundamental shift in societal values towards principles of equity and sustainability. Recognizing the intrinsic worth of every individual and the imperative to safeguard the well-being of both people and the planet is paramount. Yet, navigating this terrain is complex, devoid of easy solutions. It requires concerted efforts to raise awareness and advocate for transformative policies and practices. Only through collective action and persistent advocacy can we hope to effectuate positive change, ushering in a more just and sustainable future for all.

wow. thanks

It is sad what some poor people have to do to survive, while those of wealth can have their bling, or drive their EV, or be able to get a new smartphone yearly or any other material things,which in due time end up in some landfill !

They should stop this work and government should help to build a safe mine.

These villagers are doing all this for very little money Is there a solution. I dont think so I would rather see those people stay to the fishing ad on the side begin a black pearl farm. Sure it takes 30 years but it would be for the next generations

I can never do what these miners do. Let's start with claustrophobia.

No illegal activities happen minus the politicians

Im indonesian and yes its such a shame to us,

All the kids suffering is devastating 😭 why is money causing the world to come to an end

I know this is just one man, one family, but us there any way for us to fund his son's surgery directly? To the hospital, I mean?

Well, the culture of corruption is very strong in Indonesia and the people are lazy. Nuff said.

Think about this next time you consider buying some gold anything.

Governments around the world can’t fix the problem, which is poverty, but you need new industries and education to fix poverty which we have new industries in the highest education known to mankind why are these places poor government. poor government is the problem

the American Red Cross ⛑️ Red Crescent . all men indonesia 🇮🇩

corrupt indonesia government is to blame

There are so many alternatives to mercury for gold mining, why isn't the government helping the people there to mine safety?

legal gold mining is bs

Is there any other way to extract Gold without Mercurry ???

i hope one day we have a "clean gov" 😂

pesugihan nyata, dengan tumbal anak-istri, tetangga, dan lingkungan 🤣

Indonesia have their own unique culture and beautiful dresses. That's a thing of the past.

indonesian government and law enforcement are for sale, anf for sale cheaply.

Gold,money,mercury wil nvr have a value of an child! The parent suck! Now they will have to deal with the problems themselves forever until someone death grave. Its always okay to be poor as long as ur happy and loved!

How is it illegal?

Unconditional right to stop our own life whenever we want medically. My body my choice. Freedom

FUCK! Not going to Lombok or Bali anymore. But the Fathurrahman dude seems like a good dude. Fuck capitalism.

When poor people do mining ,its illegal When rich company do it,its legal!😂 This world is not so fair for poor people at all!😢

👍

#MercuryToxicWalmart And Gold Selling. GoodBye.

This is a mercury documentary with gold in the title for clickbait.

CLICK BAIT video all about mercury,

Money talk only