High in the Peruvian Andes lies La Rinconada, the highest human settlement on Earth. Located over sixteen thousand feet above sea level, this remote town arose near a massive gold mine carved into a frozen glacier.
Over fifty thousand people live in La Rinconada without running water, sewage systems, or heating. They endure subzero temperatures and thin air just for a chance to strike it rich.
Most miners work under an uncompensated system known as cachorreo. They work thirty days without pay, but on the thirty first day, they can keep as much ore as they can carry on their shoulders.
Despite the brutal hardship and extreme pollution, the town continues to grow as hopeful prospectors arrive every year.
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Disclaimer: This video is for informational and educational purposes. The information is sourced from public records, and imagery is used for illustrative purposes.
