Chinese Coal Miners - Part I

I came across this photo blog on Peking Duck. My thoughts go out to the brave men who work deep beneath the ground and their families in light of the recent mining accidents that have followed one after another and the dozens more which will never be reported. It is sad the only time we are reminded of their existence is, ironically, when they are no longer with us. When will the unsafe practices stop and when will enough be enough?

Captions accompanying the pictures are direct translations from the originals. which can be found here. The humanity of these men on whom the world's fastest growing economy depend so much really shine through these images and I hope that they touch you as much as they have touched me. Spare a thought for the true heroes of Chinese modernisation who have sacrificed so much for so very little.

Thanks to Shanghaiist who first brought these pictures to the attention of TPD's Richard and subsequently mine.

A coal mine in Xiangzhong (Hunan Province). Summer temperatures in southern China can soar as high as 40 degrees Celcius. Coal miners who have been working in the pits 450 metres underground for 8 hours haul their indescribly exhausted bodies back above the ground. They see the sun once again and breathe the fresh air. Clean water washes away the soot from their bodies. You can see the happiness at going home on their faces and feel their joy. Today, I have captured you using the camera in my hands, but will I see you again the next time I visit? Hard-working miners - I wish you well!

There is a blackboard in the small room at the pit entrance where miners pick up their lamps. Each number on the blackboard represent a miner's life which change as frequently as the numbers, hurriedly coming and going...

Back above ground, the miners are in good spirits. Hard labour is over for now and it is time to reunite with their families .

Sometimes, miners working in the pits earn miserable daily wages because solid rock formations or mechanical malfunctions hamper progress and production levels. These returning miners' are deeply disappointed...

The bond between coal miners are like that of brothers, their love like those of hands and feet. They are connected through they toil together in the depths of the earth, in life and death, through adversity and hardship.

Carefully read expression in the eys of each miner as he comes and goes from the pits - they are so deeply solemn and stirring. One look will haunt forever.

At the entrance of the pit, I observed that through years of close contact with coal the hands of many of the miners had turned yellow from exposure to sulphur . The two hands belonging to this labourer here mines more than 20 tonnes of coal a day from the pit but earns a daily wage of less than 30 Yuan (USD3.70).

Coal miners are the axle of the great wagon representing our society. This giant wagon of humanity could not move forward without them.

The sun never fails to shine down on the backs of miners returning from the pits. They will always be messengers of light. Alas, light forever eludes them!

Every miner returning from the pit looks forward to the sun because it represents freedom. Is there anyone who does not look forward to being free...?

Coal miners have a happy attitude toward the realities of life. But in their eyes, what is "happiness"?

It is very common in the coal hills for sons to follow their fathers footsteps because that is what life demands of them.

The hardest thing inside a coal hill are the hands of a miner and his passionate heart.

Come out from the mine and take a deep breath of fresh air! Feel the warmth of the sun!! Have a cigarette! Today's work is over!

Wash away the fatigue of the day, live each day to the fullest. Here's to all miner brothers!