National Geographic: The dramatic impact of illegal amber mining in Ukraine’s Wild West

Published Jan. 31, 2017 at 5:44 pm

The forest trees reflect in a big man-made pit with water left after amber mining in Rivne Oblast. The pumping method of amber mining, most commonly used by the individual contractors, leaves the pits in a ground, which destroy tree roots and brings to massive deforestation of the area. But this illegal and environment damaging business supports thousands of families in the region.

Photo by Oksana Grytsenko

DUBROVYTSYA – Vlad’s black SUV softly crunched through the gravel in front of Dubrovytsya’s faded Polish Catholic church. The sound of circular saws echoed from inside, where workmen were restoring the 300-year-old rococo cathedral to its pre-Soviet glory – allegedly with money from the illicit amber trade. Stas, Vlad’s partner, parked his BMW a couple blocks away.

The former cops popped the trunk of Vlad’s 4×4 and he pulled out a shotgun. He grabbed a few shells and put the gun in the back of our truck. “We’re always armed when we go out,” said the illegal amber miner.

Read the full story here.