Sulfur Mining Life

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Every day at Mount Ijen in Indonesia's Eastern Java, miners climb 9,000 feet to the summit and then 3,000 feet down into the crater to break slabs of sulfur.  Once the sulfur is collected, they carry it back up the crater, which is at a 60 degree slope.  Each load of sulfur is around 100-135lbs, which is approximately the average miner's total weight.  Some of these miners don't use gas masks and carry the loads of sulfur wearing sandels.  The volcanic gases burn the eyes of the miners making breathing difficult.  They earn 10,000 rupiah ($0.78) for every 10kg (22lbs) of sulfur earning anywhere from 5-10 dollars a day.  Many of these men have permanent grooves and indentations on their backs/shoulders along with breathing and joint issues.  Their biggest concern is that their children do not follow in the same path as theirs.