Villager’s funeral, organised by his family following the Miao ethnicity tradition. Xiang Lisheng (alias) was buried by the villagers
on the mountains where he grew up and lived, where he saw the green hill transformed and swallowed by the tailing ponds of the lead and zinc mines. Xiang Lisheng, 48-year-old, from Laowangzhai village, suffering advanced liver cancer, died in the evening of July 19th.
Laowangzhai village is located in an area with extensive lead and zinc mining activities, causing dangerously high levels of soil and water pollution. The population has experienced severe health impacts as a result of heavy metal exposure, like Xiang Lisheng with his liver.