Mikko Takkunen | Photographer
SIERRA LEONE: Diamond Mining
Sierra Leone. Mamboma. March 2008
Mr Augustin Sandi, 33. Mr Sandi is a former Methodist Church pastor, who left his position as the monthly salary of 60,000 Leones (20USD) was not enough to support to his wife and five children. He came to Mamboma for diamond mining late 2007 with the expectation of being able to make as much as 500,000 Leones a month (167USD). However, during the first four months he has not been paid once. The dry season is spent gathering the gravel and miners are paid only if something is found. Most of the washing is done between mid-April and late autumn every year. Even when some of the precious stones are found, the miners’ pay will remain far short of 500,000 Leones. Mr Sandi told me he hopes to return to his church sometime in the future.
Mr Augustin Sandi, 33. Mr Sandi is a former Methodist Church pastor, who left his position as the monthly salary of 60,000 Leones (20USD) was not enough to support to his wife and five children. He came to Mamboma for diamond mining late 2007 with the expectation of being able to make as much as 500,000 Leones a month (167USD). However, during the first four months he has not been paid once. The dry season is spent gathering the gravel and miners are paid only if something is found. Most of the washing is done between mid-April and late autumn every year. Even when some of the precious stones are found, the miners’ pay will remain far short of 500,000 Leones. Mr Sandi told me he hopes to return to his church sometime in the future.
Images © 2007-2010 Mikko Takkunen. Portfolio design by Neon Sky.