DIY Coal Mines in Kyrgyz South

Ulukbu Amirova reports from Batken region in southern Kyrgyzstan, where many locals earn a living by digging coal out of the ground.

DIY Coal Mines in Kyrgyz South

Ulukbu Amirova reports from Batken region in southern Kyrgyzstan, where many locals earn a living by digging coal out of the ground.

Tuesday, 22 September, 2009
IWPR

IWPR

Institute for War & Peace Reporting

Open-cast mining is a risky business for the amateur miners, with rockfalls a real danger.



Many of those now gathering coal used to work as migrant labour in Russia, but have returned home because of the economic crisis in that country.



The more successful miners recruit small teams of people to work for them, although as one of them noted, finding a seam of coal depends on luck as well as experience.

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