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An aerial view shows an illegal mine in the jungle in southern Venezuela. In the triangle that connects Venezuela, Brazil and Guyana illegal gold and diamonds prospectors or garimpeiros dream of changing their lives overnight by finding a huge bonanza.JORGE SILVA/Reuters

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An illegal mine is seen in the southern state of Bolivar near the border with Brazil.JORGE SILVA/Reuters

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An illegal miner or garimpeiro stands in a mine in the southern state of Bolivar near the border with Brazil.JORGE SILVA/Reuters

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An miner named Ramon flashes a gold letter 'R' on his tooth as he smiles after working in a mine in the southern state of Bolivar.JORGE SILVA/Reuters

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An illegal mine is seen in the southern state of Bolivar near the border with Brazil.JORGE SILVA/Reuters

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Miners dig with pressure hoses near the town of Ikabaru in southern Venezuela.JORGE SILVA/Reuters

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An indigenous man prepares his canoe before departing with barrels of gas to the mining area near the village of Parkupik in southern Venezuela.JORGE SILVA/Reuters

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An illegal miner or garimpeiro works in a mine close to Ikabaru river in southern Venezuela.JORGE SILVA/Reuters

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A miner, illuminated by the light of a candle, sits in his house at night in the miner's town Ikabaru.JORGE SILVA/Reuters

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A miner's boots dry outside a shack in the jungle in the village of Parkupik in the southern state of Bolivar.JORGE SILVA/Reuters

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A safe belonging to a gold and diamonds merchant is seen inside a wooden shack in the indigenous village of Parkupik in the jungle near the border with Brazil in the south of Venezuela.JORGE SILVA/Reuters

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Diamond and gold buyers wait for miners and customers outside a shop in Santa Elena de Uairen, in the south of Venezuela.JORGE SILVA/Reuters

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Heavily armed guards hold their weapons outside a business licensed to buy rough diamonds and gold in Georgetown, Venezuela.JORGE SILVA/Reuters

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A diamond cutter inspects a rough stone in his work place in Santa Elena de Uairen in the south of Venezuela.JORGE SILVA/Reuters

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A diamond cutter shows a rough stone while working on it in his work place in Santa Elena de Uairen.JORGE SILVA/Reuters

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Rough diamonds are seen on the desk of a trader in his office in Santa Elena de Uairen.JORGE SILVA/Reuters

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