Kampene, Democratic Republic of the Congo

With a population of just over 37,000, Kampene is a remote town in the Democratic Republic of the Congo fueled by informal artisanal gold mining. The colonial-era town was built to support mining operations, and that legacy continues today - there are over 10,000 gold miners organized into cooperatives operating 32 mines around Kampene. However, the industry faces persistent challenges, from illegal taxation and bribery to the presence of armed groups and deadly accidents, like the 2019 mine collapse that killed at least 21 people. For the hardy few drawn to Kampene's gold rush, the bureaucracy and safety risks make for a tough, cynical existence.