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Visiting a gold mine for an
article on a European Union project in East Kazakhstan. Damp climate,
thousands of mosquitos, no electricity and accommodation in tents. Real
hardship... |
Dozens of rivers and streams....
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I wonder if they gave me a boot with a hole in it on
purpose?
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Even a Russian Jeep can't manage without the help of a
tractor.
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Former naval officer Vladimir is explaining Russian humour in front of the
dining room.
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Pretending to enjoy the soup and fermented cheese (but
didn't succeed). Not very hungry anyway: two plates
of Russian 'plov' (rice with lamb) I consumed for lunch came out straight after arrival...
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This amphibian vehicle had to take us to the actual mining
site. "Gold mining is only for adventururs" explained
concession holder Igor Panshin, who showed me around.
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Washing stones in the river. After fifteen minutes, a
tiny bit of gold stays behind, or not...
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Never too old for exploration.... This man makes a hundred
dollars a month, working every day for three weeks in a row. "It's
better than staying at home", he thinks.
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Do you want to know more about gold mining in Kazakhstan? Read the
following article:
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