Emerald Miners: 10242007_Becherer_Emeralds008

With the Panjshir Valley village of Khenj visible thousands of feet below, emerald miners reinforce the roof of their mountainside tent home in Panjshir province, Afghanistan on Wednesday, October 24, 2007. The miners haul water from an abandoned mine that now is full of spring water but have to haul all other provisions from the village below. Gas stoves heat water for washing and gas lamps provide light for the mines and tents. Generators are reserved to operate jack hammers and air compressors for mining drills.
October 24, 2007- Khenj, Afghanistan

With the Panjshir Valley village of Khenj visible thousands of feet below, emerald miners reinforce the roof of their mountainside tent home in Panjshir province, Afghanistan on Wednesday, October 24, 2007. The miners haul water from an abandoned mine that now is full of spring water but have to haul all other provisions from the village below. Gas stoves heat water for washing and gas lamps provide light for the mines and tents. Generators are reserved to operate jack hammers and air compressors for mining drills.