Miners risk death in Burkina Faso gold rush - Gold miners continue working with dangerous chemicals, such as mercury, despite health related risks.

Gold mining is seeing a surge in popularity in Burkina Faso as thousands head to the mines, prompted by the rising price of the precious metal.

Many of the country's young farmers have given up tending to their fields, and are risking their lives working near dangerous chemicals such as mercury. The toxic chemical is an environmental and health hazard, but continues to be used to extract gold from the earth.

 Al Jazeera's Nicolas Haque reports from Zoula in western Burkina Faso.

Miners risk death in Burkina Faso gold rush - Gold miners continue working with dangerous chemicals, such as mercury, despite health related risks.

Gold mining is seeing a surge in popularity in Burkina Faso as thousands head to the mines, prompted by the rising price of the precious metal.

Many of the country's young farmers have given up tending to their fields, and are risking their lives working near dangerous chemicals such as mercury. The toxic chemical is an environmental and health hazard, but continues to be used to extract gold from the earth.

 Al Jazeera's Nicolas Haque reports from Zoula in western Burkina Faso.