Some mistakes had disastrous consequences
Situated in the Peruvian Andes at a staggering altitude of 5,100 meters (16,732 feet or approximately three miles) above sea level, La Rinconada is the highest human settlement on Earth. With a population of approximately 50,000, as reported by NASA, it is so elevated that it's often referred to as “the town closest to space.” However, living conditions are far from comfortable. Most homes lack running water, there’s no sewage system or garbage disposal, and the electrical network is notoriously unreliable. Most significantly, the extreme altitude means residents live with about half the oxygen available at sea level.
One might wonder why 50,000 people would choose to make La Rinconada their home. The answer lies in a desire as old as civilization itself: gold. But at what cost? This is a town where the promise of wealth is shadowed by danger, with crime rates almost as high as its altitude. Click on the gallery to voyage into "Devil's Paradise"—a deadly place where survival is a daily battle.
La Rinconada is home to the highest mine in the world, and it happens to be a gold mine. Despite its remote and inhospitable location, where the lack of oxygen poses life-threatening struggles, the allure of gold has driven thousands to settle in this dangerous and extreme environment.
La Rinconada started as a small mining hub in the 20th century after gold was discovered in the area. Over time, it evolved into a town, with the allure of gold sustaining it for decades as miners worked tirelessly in dangerous conditions in search of their fortune.
Though gold continues to be extracted from the mines, the reality is far from a fairytale. Many miners work in appalling conditions with no protective gear, exposing themselves to dangerous chemicals like mercury.
Much like the Gold Rush in the United States (1848–1855), the people of La Rinconada endure extraordinary hardships, driven by the hope of striking it rich and building a better life.
Miners work under a system known as "cachorreo," where they labor for 30 days without pay. Only on the 31st day do they receive compensation, keeping whatever gold they manage to extract. Unfortunately, most miners find only minimal amounts of gold, leading to disillusionment and poverty, despite the promise of riches.
The danger in La Rinconada goes beyond the exhausting work. At such high altitudes, the thin air heightens the risk of altitude sickness and fatigue. This contributes to chronic mountain sickness, causing dizziness, palpitations, and even heart failure. NASA estimates that about a quarter of the town's residents suffer from this condition due to the extreme altitude.
The health risks in La Rinconada are further compounded by exposure to toxic mercury vapor, which is released during gold mining and drifts over the glacier above the town. This vapor condenses on the ice, contaminating the town's drinking water supply.
In addition to miners, it is reported that La Rinconada is also home to a growing research community. Scientists and researchers have come to study the effects of extreme altitude on the human body and mind. The town's unusual location has made it a point of interest for those studying high-altitude living and the health risks that come with it.
La Rinconada is a town of contradictions. On one hand, it is full of ambition, with people coming to mine in the hopes of escaping poverty. On the other, it is a place where dreams are often dashed, and the struggles of daily life make it hard for many to survive, let alone thrive.
Crime is high, and law enforcement is minimal. The town's isolation means that it operates with little government oversight, and this often leads to exploitation, particularly of the women who work as “palliris” — sifting through the mining waste to find leftover bits of gold.
These women are paid very little and face significant health risks, often working in conditions just as dangerous as the men in the mines. Women are also more vulnerable to exploitation, with limited rights and access to resources. They work long hours with little pay, and the social stigma attached to their labor makes their lives even more difficult.
The environmental toll of mining in La Rinconada is devastating. The mercury used in the extraction of gold poisons the soil, rivers, and the surrounding environment, causing long-term damage to the ecosystem. Garbage is tossed anywhere and the town's water supply is also heavily contaminated, further compounding the health risks for residents.
The lack of access to adequate medical care means that many people suffer from illnesses related to altitude sickness, chronic fatigue, and other health issues. But still, La Rinconada remains home to thousands who, despite the odds, choose to live there in pursuit of their dreams.
Deadly accidents are frequent within the maze-like tunnels of Mount Ananea’s mines, where danger lurks at every turn. Miners often fall victim to violence, with some being robbed or even murdered after selling their gold, their bodies discarded in the dark shafts.
Women and girls have also suffered heinous fates, lured from larger cities in Peru and Bolivia by human traffickers. Stripped of their identity papers, some 2,000 young women, some of them minors, are forced to work in La Rinconada’s seedy bars that double as brothels, enduring unimaginable exploitation.
Mining in La Rinconada is largely unregulated, contributing to the town's environmental devastation. The use of mercury, which is illegal in many parts of the world, continues unabated, poisoning the soil and water. Without proper regulation or waste management systems, the town's mining practices cause irreversible harm to the environment.
The damage extends far beyond La Rinconada itself. The pollution from the mining operations spills into nearby rivers, affecting entire ecosystems and the communities that rely on these waterways for drinking and farming. The unchecked mining activities have turned the environment into a toxic wasteland.
While the gold extracted from the mines of La Rinconada plays a role in global markets, the miners rarely see the wealth they help create. The gold that changes hands around the world does not benefit the people who risk their lives to mine it. Instead, it lines the pockets of traders, middlemen, and the powerful few who control the market.
In recent years, a few NGOs (non-profit organizations) have attempted to improve the conditions in La Rinconada. These organizations have focused on providing better education, healthcare, and environmental awareness. They also work on raising awareness about the dangers of mercury and its impact on both health and the environment.
Some have tried to formalize the mining process, introducing safer working conditions and advocating for better regulation. However, progress has been slow. The town’s isolation and reliance on gold mining make it difficult to introduce sustainable solutions that could improve the lives of residents.
La Rinconada offers a stark view of global inequality. The town’s plight illustrates the human and environmental costs of the gold industry. For each ounce of gold extracted, there is a story of hardship, sacrifice, and environmental degradation.
The wealth generated by the gold mining industry rarely trickles down to the miners themselves. Instead, it is absorbed by multinational companies, traders, and those with the power to control the global gold market. La Rinconada serves as a microcosm of the inequality that persists in our global economy.
Ruhi Çenet, a YouTuber known for venturing into extreme and challenging locations, visited La Rinconada and described it as "hell on earth." He highlighted its harsh living conditions, severe environmental degradation, and exposure to toxic chemicals like mercury and cyanide.
These factors, combined with dire infrastructure, rampant trash, and significant health challenges, make La Rinconada one of the most extreme and unforgiving places he has documented. His documentary about La Rinconada has exceeded 44 million views.
Despite the overwhelming challenges, the people of La Rinconada show remarkable resilience. They have built a community in the most unlikely of places, supporting one another through the hardships of daily life.
The future of La Rinconada is uncertain. The town continues to grow, with new people arriving in search of wealth and a better life. Yet, without intervention, the environmental damage and health risks will likely worsen, making it even harder for future generations to survive in the area.
There is always hope that with greater awareness and action, La Rinconada could become a more sustainable place to live. If the global community steps in, the town might transition from a gold rush settlement to a more balanced and environmentally friendly community.
La Rinconada’s story highlights extraordinary human endurance amidst adversity. Its extreme conditions challenge inhabitants daily, but they cling to hope that improvements will come. One can only wish for better lives for the residents and efforts to reduce the toll on both human health and the environment.
La Rinconada stands as a stark paradox where the dream of wealth and the harsh reality of life coexist, making it a place defined by both aspiration and desperation.
Sources: (Unilad Tech) (Times of India) (Aljazeera) (National Geographic) (Lad Bible) (Telegrafi)
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Situated in the Peruvian Andes at a staggering altitude of 5,100 meters (16,732 feet or approximately three miles) above sea level, La Rinconada is the highest human settlement on Earth. With a population of approximately 50,000, as reported by NASA, it is so elevated that it's often referred to as “the town closest to space.” However, living conditions are far from comfortable. Most homes lack running water, there’s no sewage system or garbage disposal, and the electrical network is notoriously unreliable. Most significantly, the extreme altitude means residents live with about half the oxygen available at sea level.
One might wonder why 50,000 people would choose to make La Rinconada their home. The answer lies in a desire as old as civilization itself: gold. But at what cost? This is a town where the promise of wealth is shadowed by danger, with crime rates almost as high as its altitude. Click on the gallery to voyage into "Devil's Paradise"—a deadly place where survival is a daily battle.