Going straight in the 'forest of gold'

[geovalin]

extremely well documented article can be read in full here:

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/post-weekend/miners-going-straight-mondulkiris-forest-gold

Alice Cuddy and Phak Seangly

Mondulkiri province

Until recently, the illegal mining community at the remote village of Poutung did their digging at risk of arrest. They have since become the first to be given official sanction. But operating under the law has its own challenges

Until a month ago, Poutung village was a community of criminals.

Located inside the vast woodland of Chung Phlas commune, the tiny village is completely isolated – an arduous, five-hour motorbike ride from Mondulkiri’s provincial capital Sen Monorom.

Despite lacking many amenities, the majority of its inhabitants come from elsewhere in the country, all attracted by one thing – hidden riches.