VISIT TO THE SAPPHIRE MINES IN PAILIN, CAMBODIA

The pictures in the following slide presentation are © 1997 Hans Buhr and cannot be retrieved by any means.


[ Pailin Mining Area I ] [ Pailin Mining Area II ]


pai01A treachorous road leads to the town of Pailin. Landmines are still everywhere and during the trip several went off probably triggered by animals in the woods.

pai04The entrance to the town of Pailin. Very few buildings survived the long war. The mines were totally destroyed and almost no Pailin sapphires were available in the gem markets for almost 20 years. One can see shells and live ammunition left everywhere.

pai02Bulldozers have now invaded the mining areas and are scraping up the soil to be hauled to a washing area.

pai03The sapphire mines cover a wide area in the valley. This area seems to be worked out already.

pai05Some locals try their luck in a flooded area on the outskirts of Pailin.

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