S.Africa's gold mining past poisons Soweto; as toxic Myanmar mines pollute rivers in Thailand

Soweto, South Africa (AFP) June 18, 2025

Soweto's children call it the "yellow mountain". And for decades a gold mine dump that towers over the Snake Park neighbourhood of South Africa's largest township has been polluting the area and poisoning communities. The yellow dust that blows off it stings the throat. Studies have found it contains traces of toxic substances such as arsenic, lead and uranium - a legacy of the 1880s gold r