Coal Face
Soaring energy prices and new mining techniques have brought life back to the coal mines of South Wales. Two pits near Neath are hoping to take advantage of the new economic climate and are investing in new and highly profitable seams of high quality coal. Aberpergwm mine was one of the first to close in the 1980's but is now running profitably thanks to new investment. Nearby the new Unity mine is hoping to reach a deep seam that will produce up to 1 million tons of coal a year for an estimated minimum of 20 years. Both pits employ miners whose family histories are interwoven with the mining industry in Wales and continue a tradition of welsh mining that many had thought was gone for good.
Commissioned by Libération
Miners chat before their shift at the Unity coal mine in Glynneath, South Wales.
Miners lamps recharging in the Unity coal mine in Glynneath.
An old fashioned safety lamp, still in use, is hung in the drift of Abepergwm coal mine in Glynneath, South Wales.
A miner jumps onto the downward conveyor that will take him to work in the Unity coal mine.
At the coal face of aberpergwm a miner watches the conveyor from the cutting machine.
Miners in one of the tunnels of Abepergwm coal mine in Glynneath.
Miner at the coal face of Abepergwm coal mine in Glynneath, South Wales.
Newly cut coal spills from the conveyor belt at the entrance to Aberpergwm mine.
Rhidian Davies, managing director of the Abepergwm coal mine in Glynneath, South Wales.
The glistening surface of hard, anthracite coal from aberpergwm mine.
A metal tag, showing who's working in the mine, hangs on a board at the entrance to Unity coal mine.
Still covered in coal dust from their work, miners fill in shift reports before changing and showering
at Abepergwm coal mine.
After his shift, a miner waits for the showers at Aberpergwm.
Miners shower after their shift at Abepergwm coal mine.
A Welsh flag adorns a towel in the locker room of Unity coal mine in Glynneath, South Wales.