February, 2017

M E D I A S TAT E M E N T

PHOTOGR APHER'S DEADLY TREK TELLS

LIFE-CHANGING TALE OF ILLEGAL MINERS

Australian photographer Hugh Brown is once again preparing to put his life on the line
to tell the story of the globe’s artisanal miners who search for prized minerals by hand in
some of the most treacherous locations on the planet.

The Perth-based artist is planning the next leg of his journey to shine a light on the
plight of the mostly illegal men, women and child workers who use only primitive tools to
uncover diamonds, coal, gold, silver, tin and other precious commodities.

Now entering its eighth year, the project is giving rise to the documentary photographer’s
eighth book, which he trusts will prove transformational for readers.

“There are about 30 million artisanal miners working across 50 countries; they mine
under their own steam with little or no resources – and often risking their life in the process –
in a bid to improve their lot in life,” explained Hugh.

“The story of these people – some of the poorest and hardest-working on the planet – needs
to be told; they’re a group most of us in the developed world have never heard of, despite the
fact that around 12 percent of annual gold production globally comes from artisanal mining.
“I first become fascinated with these amazing, determined souls while in Africa in 2006 and
after much soul searching myself on this ongoing journey, I’ve come to realise there’s no way
I can pass judgment on these people or their decision to risk their lives for their loved ones;
they don’t need to be ‘saved’ – they have chosen to be there, even knowing all the dangers.
“The ultimate realisation through all of this is about the synergies between all humans –
no matter what fate has dealt us in terms of where and when we are born, we’ll do just about
anything when driven by hope of a better future; these miners are no different to the person
in the western world working 50-plus hour weeks to keep their family afloat and to
transcend suffering and this, ultimately, unites us all.”
With a background in corporate tax, management consulting, and corporate strategy,
Hugh understands well the trappings of the modern working world and it’s helped him push
ahead with this journey, even in the darkest hours.
“One of the most confronting trips has been to Cerro Rico, also known as the “mountain that
eats men”, in Bolivia – a destination I had to partially navigate to off the stars alone – where over
the past 470-odd years up to eight million miners searching for silver have died,” said Hugh.
“I was heading out daily, with the miners, into a mountain that is literally on the brink of
collapse; it is now so full of holes that every time it rains, the end could be near for the
1,000 or so people working on it each day.”
Hugh has danced with danger time and again during this project.
“From dining with arms dealers in northern Pakistan to negotiating with the mafia for access
to locations in parts of India, working and living on the side of an active volcano in Java, and
photographing the world’s highest altitude miners on ropes at nearly 5000 metres,
it’s been one heck of an adventure,” he explained.
“When the idea for this project first came to me, I had no idea what I was getting myself
into and, if I’d known what was ahead, I probably would never have started but as wilderness
survival has also long been an interest of mine, I guess I’m probably better
equipped than most to tackle this quest.”
As well as the extreme physical conditions, Hugh’s also come face-to-face with
some of the most difficult emotional issues known to man during the project that has so
far taken him to West Africa, India, Pakistan and Indonesia.
“This slice of the world brings up so much – there are issues of environmental degradation,
people trafficking, slavery, organised crime and terrorism to name a few,” he said.
“It’s been an incredibly humbling journey so far and has, at its most fundamental, taught me
about how not to judge people – and life.”
Hugh is now focused on pulling together the funds to undertake the final two – and still se-
cret – overseas trips required to complete the book.
“I’m confident there are people out there who understand the significance of what I’m doc-
umenting for current and future generations and that they’ll have a way to help – whether
that be financially or through sharing contacts that can help get the word out or helping me
gather the materials I need, or the like,” he said.
“I started out like many WA-based photographers, capturing images of our breathtaking
backyard, but then something shifted and my attention turned to wanting to record histori-
cally important people, places and things and that’s led me to here; to me this is about leav-
ing a meaningful legacy and I’m determined to ensure I do it.”
 BACKGROUND:

A keen interest in wilderness survival has also seen Hugh embark on

various voyages through Western Australia’s remote Kimberley region in
the height of summer – journeys he embarks upon without food,
water, or sleeping comforts. And often, alone.
He has a Commerce Degree from Deakin University in Victoria.
Prior to taking up professional photography full-time in 2005, Hugh’s career
started in corporate taxation with Arthur Andersen in Melbourne before
he then moved into management consulting with Arthur D. Little.
In his various roles, Hugh has worked in 20 countries around the world.
He has self published four books; two each on Western Australia’s breathtaking
Kimberley and Pilbara regions, and created three more for clients.
Hugh grew up in Alpine Victoria, was schooled in Melbourne and is now
based in the Perth foothills.
In his spare time, he studies for his AMus A in classical piano and can be
regularly found honing his rock ascending and abseiling skills in
quarries near his home.

Telephone: +61 418 936 517 Email: sales@hughbrown.com

Website: www.hughbrown.com