Gold in its final form after being processed in a small-scale mining operation - stock photo

The Philippines is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire that contains much of the world's copper and gold resources and Compostela Valley is often dubbed the ‘gold mining capital of the Philippines'. Aside from mining companies, small-scale gold mining has emerged as an increasingly important livelihood for people throughout Compostela Valley, including the Manasaka and other indigenous groups. Along with these mining practices come a number of environmental and social issues.