ABOUT THE FILM
Gold is everywhere in Suriname, from political power to what the locals wear on their fingers, the effects of gold mining seep into all aspects of society. The industry is a necessary source of income for many Surinamese, but it’s also destroying the environment, bad for public health, and rife with corruption. VICE Netherlands went to Suriname to see how gold is intertwined with everyday life in the country. They ride along with ‘Jungle’ Ronnie Brunswick – an ex-rebel leader who waged a violent civil war but is now a successful businessman, owning thousands of hectares of gold mining land. VICE Netherlands also witnessed the dangers of mercury, which is used widely in the recovery of gold, and visited Benzdorp, where everything in life is paid for with gold.