<p><br /> Despite government orders to the contrary, people living on the slopes of Mount Merapi have returned to work mining the mineral rich volcanic sand.<br /> </p><p><br /> Government officials in the Yogyakarta Province of Indonesia have ordered a ban on mining due to volcano's recent eruptions.<br /> </p><p><br /> Cold lava and ash have been flowing from the volcano for over two weeks, killing 194 people and displacing another 320,000 who live on its slopes.<br /> </p><p><br /> The normally mineral rich substance, which is used as a raw building material, is even richer after an eruption.<br /> </p><p><br /> This, plus a need to return to work has miners disregarding any possible hazards.<br /> </p><p><br /> "Looking for sand is my livelihood for my family. Yes there are feelings of fear, but to meet my daily needs, there's nothing I can do," said Ambar, who like other Javanese go by one name is one of many sand miners digging at the Boyong river.<br /> </p><p><br /> Working in groups of five or six people, miners can produce six trucks of sand per day, they have to dodge police and authorities who ask them to stop.<br /> </p><p><br /> Ambar and others could earn as much as IDR 120,000 (just under £10) per day, per person.<br /> </p><p><br /> Although the intensity of eruptions was declining, officials said, the threat still looms with cold lava flooding a particularly persistent problem.<br /> </p><p><br /> Warnings remain on high alert and a 20 kilometre exclusion zone around the summit remains in place.<br /> </p>
