The fate of the last remaing coal miners of Nuraxi Figus, Sardinia,
Italy is more uncertain as their mine is on the verge of closing. The
economy of the village relies on the Carbosulcis mine, which
employs 500 people, but in the last decades, the coal mining
industry in Europe has been declining. Some regions which have
relied on mining now have to reinvent their economy to prevent
their population from falling into poverty.
In August 2012 the miners occupied the mine, during a week after
officials had announced it would be closed, although so far it has
remained open.
Almost two years after the strike began, the demand for coal has
collapsed. At Carbosulcis, the production has almost stopped. The
mine, which has been opened for 40 years and costs 40 millions
Euros to maintain each year, is expected to close in the coming
years.
As required by European Union directives, there will be a gradual
reduction of coal production down to zero from 2014 to 2018.
The second phase, from 2018 to 2027, will include conversion of
staff and facilities of the mine.
The village of Nuraxi Figus, which has survived thanks to the coal
production, is stuck in an obsolete development model. The coal
extracted is very poor quality and has a very low value on the
market because of the high levels of sulphur it contains. Their
only client is Enel, the Italian electric utility, which buys the
mineral below the market rate. As a result, the mine receives
public subsidies to cover the losses. This model is not
economically viable as it maintains the population in low paid jobs
in only one industry and that has prevented other sectors from
establishing in the region. The workers and their families suffer
the consequences of this system.
Awards Shortlist at Kolga Tbilisi Photo 2013
Pubblications on: The Times, The Independent, The Washington Post, Il sole 24 ore, Getty Images.
