The image displays an active artisanal mining operation situated in Katon Rikkos, Nigeria, under a clear blue sky

The image displays an active artisanal mining operation situated in Katon Rikkos, Nigeria, under a clear blue sky. The scene is a large, multi-tiered excavation characterized by steep, reddish-brown earthen slopes and significant deposits of dark, loose rock material. A pool of murky, light brown water occupies the lowest visible point of the excavation. Approximately twenty individuals are present across various levels of the site, engaged in manual labor. In the upper-left quadrant, several figures are seen navigating a steep pathway on the earth slope. On the mid-slopes, a group of approximately four to five individuals is actively digging into or processing the dark, rock-like material, utilizing hand tools. One individual in this group wears a white shirt and a yellow head covering. In the lower section of the excavation, a larger group of ten to twelve individuals is concentrated around the pool of water and its muddy edges. These individuals are observed standing in or near the water, potentially sifting material, and crouching or sitting on the banks, engaged in further processing tasks. White and orange plastic buckets are visible on the ground, likely used for collecting or transporting excavated material. Wooden stakes are also present in the immediate vicinity. No specialized personal protective equipment is discernible on any of the workers.