In pictures: Brazilian gold mine

Another common job for women is working as a "housekeeper", cooking and cleaning for groups of about seven or eight men who share the same tent.

Lindinalva, 27, came to Juma where her sister Lindineia and brother-in-law were already working.

Her marriage had just ended and she was feeling betrayed.

Now, she says, she has regained her self-esteem. She doesn’t earn much money but says she is happy.

She dreams of marrying a rich, handsome gold miner.