“Miners at Ijen Crater Lake weigh their sulfur. The turquoise-colored lake in Southeast Java is still the home to an active sulfur mine. Although the baskets look deceptively light, the miners usually balance a stunning 170 to 200 pounds on their shoulders. The miners make the intense hike twice a day, making only $5.00 to $8.00 for their difficult work.”

Nina Bhattacharya at Kawah Ijen, East Java