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Path to the mine
On the path approaching the Kalimbi mine, halfway down the mountain, there is a sharp descent where Tunnel 20 has been chipped out.
The photos of Fiona Lloyd-Davies in the DRC were supported by the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting.
Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
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The Kalimbi mine
The Kalimbi Mine in South Kivu is in the eastern DRC.
Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
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Tunnel 20 entrance
A miner stands outside Tunnel 20.
Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
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Outside the mine
Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
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Looking into the mountain
Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
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Inside the mine
Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
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Digger Ajeje Mode Mahenga
Mahenga has been working at this mine since he was young. "I started when I was 12 years old," he said. "The problem is the gas we smell here.I'd say that I've got used to the job despite everything."
Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
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Digger Moise Nyamirhali
Nyamirhali, a digger, said soldiers used to beat up diggers and steal their minerals.
Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
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The processed tin
Kitambala Azwata Edouard is the manager of WMC, a treatment centre in Bukavu, South Kivu. These barrels are filled with processed tin ready for export.
Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
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The washing station
The washing station is on the mountain. Here, raw tin ore and cassiterite is washed.
Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
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Taking a break
Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
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Separating the minerals
A washer separates the tin ore.
Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
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A young man outside Kalimbi
Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
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The crushing station
After they are washed, the larger pieces of ore are crushed.
Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
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The washing station
The washing process can take several hours.
Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
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The long process of washing minerals
Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
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Refining cassiterite
Workers refine cassiterite. It must be separated from the rest of the grit and put into barrels before it is sold and exported.
Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
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The negotiant
Middleman, or negotiant, Kasole Sanvura Vie Sainte buys the raw ore from diggers.
Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
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Resting near the mine
Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
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Using mobile phones
Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
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Exiting the mine
A miner exits the Kalimbi mine in South Kivu, DRC.
Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
Path to the mine
On the path approaching the Kalimbi mine, halfway down the mountain, there is a sharp descent where Tunnel 20 has been chipped out.
The photos of Fiona Lloyd-Davies in the DRC were supported by the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting.
Image: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
By Lyndsey Gilpin
Lyndsey Gilpin is a former Staff Writer for TechRepublic, covering sustainability and entrepreneurship. She's co-author of the book Follow the Geeks.