Mining life from a crater

The Kawah Ijen crater of Mt. Ijen in Banyuwangi, East Java, stands 2,384 meters above sea level and is a combination of beauty and horror.

The crater features a peaceful, breathtaking lake with greenish-blue water. Hanging over it is the ever-present threat of the active volcano's potential for erupting and bringing catastrophe to the slopes and surroundings.

Despite the danger, local residents often descend into the crater to mine the rich deposits of sulfur, and about 200 miners a day risk inhaling the poisonous sulfuric gas just to make a living.

The miners make Rp 345 per each kilogram of rock sulfur they sell to the Surabaya-based PT Candi Ngimbi Unit I.

"There is no other way to make money," said Slamet, 29, who lives with his wife and child in Bulusari Village, Banyuwangi.

Given the difficult circumstances, every day is a battle between life and death for people like Slamet.

-- Text and photos by Patma Witana/The Jakarta Post