Ijen

The Sulfur Miners of Ijen

Indonesia | Wednesday, July 3, 2013 | 5 photos

The miners of Ijen climb into the caldera among the toxic fumes of the volcano to mine the molten sulfur. They carry loads of up to 100 kg on their shoulders out of the caldera and down the volcano. This journey is over 3 km and traverses steep grades of 40-60 degrees. Near the end of their journey is the weigh station. They are paid by weight and receive just under $8 for a 100 kg load. The most they can do is two trips per day. They have little in the way of protective gear, many just wearing flip flops. They are proud and kind, the miners of Ijen.