An active volcano in east java is the well known site for sulphur mining , in local language its known as gunung merapi meaning “mount fire” . the site is the smoky atmosphere that billows around the mine where the sulphur is mined 220 yards deep , the mined sulphur is used in gun powder , matches and firework . when its in the native form it could be used for medicine . The sulfur mined in East Java is used for bleaching sugar, vulcanizing rubber and other industrial processes.
Where the miners walk in miles at the top of the crater wearing any protection though it looks like steam, it’s actually highly concentrated hydrogen sulphide and sulphur dioxide gases that can burn a miner’s eyes, throat and lungs and even dissolve their teeth. Where the miners break off large chunks of sulfur from the crater floor and carry the chunks out in light baskets made of rattan and walk nearly 7 kilometers to town .though its an labor intensive job they are paid by the weight of sulphur between $5 and $13 per day (USD) where they risk their life to survive because of the limited job oppurtunities .