Inside the Philippines' Illicit World of Gold Mining

In this episode, we explore the dangerous and grueling world of illegal gold mining in Paracale, Philippines. Despite the high cost to human life and the environment, gold mining has been a way of life for generations in this small town. Join us as we witness the back-breaking work of miners, the dangers of underwater excavation, and the small but tangible rewards for those who pan the riverbeds downstream. This is an eye-opening look at the true cost of the pursuit of gold.
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[@AlexVictor]

Amazing camerawork and editing. So much hard work for so little gold, this makes me appreciate life even more

[@quarkstar2]

Great content, uncovering untold stories and bringing them to us in a way that is respectful and engaging!

[@All_you_need_is_love2018]

I love your content. I use to watch documentaries like this on the Discovery Channel. It’s great to see the democratization of media.

[@rkdo9554]

Your channel is the most underrated one amongst foreign vloggers here in the Philippines. You deserve million subs.

[@AfricanTheory]

Outstanding editing. Watching from Kenya

[@owenmarshall78]

Great documentary and informative on the real philippines

[@KharylDence]

Ooohh you are/were in the PH! Just saw an episode in Best Ever Food Review Show with Sonny and you in it. Love that you are covering these stories on here. Really interesting to learn more about the PH through you. Enjoy the PH! ❤

[@OilBaron100]

Great content.

[@brentgabel3660]

Pours small bead of mercury out of bottle into hand. That was probably the safest thing I saw. Great video Andrew.

[@seoulful1997]

I noticed that too, I’ve always been told mercury = no no, especially to just touch like that

[@brentgabel3660]

I don't know that much is absorbed through short contact to the skin but you don't want to ingest it (inhalation/consumption) as it hangs around the body. Still made me shake my head.@@seoulful1997

[@Andrew_Fraser]

Hahaha, yeah the mercury was rough. I was trying to hold my breath filming as she blowtorched the mercury and gold.

[@brentgabel3660]

The blowtorching was done outside. Everything aligns with the local workplace health and safety standards. Thanks again for the video. Great content. Terrifying but great.@@Andrew_Fraser

[@Andrew_Fraser]

Thanks mate! Appreciate the kind words. Hopefully, I'll have something a little more lighthearted coming soon. @brentgabel3660

[@Braven_Aj]

We have mining also at northern Philippines, Benguet province.

[@DavidBrockes]

I am really wanting to come there and bring a metal detector for some fun. Awesome video. I love the country. Great video. Thanks for the content. 🥰🥰🥰

[@danielreid6041]

Interesting

[@leehaseley2164]

You really have stepped up here, Andrew.
I can't imagine the desperation or, hopefully not, stupidity, it must take for this to seem a viable option.

[@tatsdgreat8886]

Come live with them first before saying they are stupid!

[@badjaeaux]

these are capable and hardworking people, who only needed a better opportunity

[@Mojoelmo]

Another banger 🤙

[@Andrew_Fraser]

Thanks 🙏 appreciate it

[@billfisherman6577]

More great content. Be safe.

[@Andrew_Fraser]

Thanks for the continued support Bill

[@LilyBeth-wm6lg]

Hi Andrew be safe

[@alex71504]

Wow! the courage to be in the hole and the faith you have to have for that bamboo cage to hold. I don't think I can do that regardless of the fortune it gives. Talagang yong persistant talaga ng Filipino para ma buhay at makapag provide sa kanila pamilya is so strong. I hope for their safety and that they'll find as much gold as they can.

[@Cryptokev69]

In Africa, they do the same thing for cobalt except they do not have a wooden frame to protect cave in ‘s, and they go down 30 to 40 feet deep

[@Sk8_FPV]

They can get a lot more gold with riffles! If they made sluice boxes. I wish they could get more!

[@I_drive_porsches]

Nice episode Andrew, but that's a big nope from me, stuff that for a joke! I'd never do that.

[@Andrew_Fraser]

Thanks Duncan. Agreed, It looked like seriously hard work.

[@Alberta1stPodcast]

How much do they sell their gold for?

[@melchezediktv]

when your stomach get hungry, no work is harder...

[@blimolhm2790]

like the good old days in victoria but didn't get to use compressors in 1850s 😂 the boys would go for the dry shafts instead (dangerous too)

[@Andrew_Fraser]

Totally felt like a time travel experience while filming! It's wild how some things haven't changed much. Appreciate your comment

[@martinlindahl5924]

Your videos are good but the damn music is so high in volume.
Please lower the music

[@Andrew_Fraser]

It’s lower in more recent edits

[@petesrules1508]

Now I understand why scamming is such a popular vocation in the Philippines compared to this slavery for little results.

[@alfredocastillo147]

Can i add u in fb sir?