Mining Heritage
Artisanal mining is craft, science and community economy at once. We show it honestly — hazards, hopes and all.
Understanding artisanal mining
Around Migori, thousands of people win gold from shallow reefs using tools they maintain themselves. It is not industrial extraction — it is a dense network of small teams, mills and cooperatives that supports whole towns.
Prospecting here dates to the early 1900s and still shapes settlement patterns.
Cooperatives negotiate rates, run safety training and fund local projects.
Mercury-free processing, PPE and licensed plants are being adopted site by site.
Gold income funds school fees, health cover and small businesses across the region.
The Mining Process
Select a stage to see what happens, what it takes and who does the work.
Stage 1 of 8
Ore-bearing rock is won from shallow shafts and reefs by hand tools and small compressors.
Meet the Miners
Three of the guides and cooperative members who host our mining experiences.
28 years underground
Otieno began at sixteen carrying ore for his uncle. Today he trains shaft crews in ventilation and shoring, and hosts visitors on the pit walk.
“The rock gives nothing to the impatient. You learn it the way you learn a river.”
19 years panning
Akinyi leads a women's panning group of forty members and negotiates fair rates with mill owners on their behalf.
“We used to be invisible at the sluice. Now we set the price of our own work.”
9 years, cooperative lead
Brian runs safety induction for the cooperative and champions the shift to mercury-free processing across three sites.
“Safer mining is not slower mining. It is mining that lets you come home.”
Community Impact
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Families Supported
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Youth Empowered
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Mining Cooperatives
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Visitors Hosted
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Community Projects