Située à moins de 350 kilomètres à l’ouest de Pékin, la ville de Datong est connue pour donner un prolongement industriel au bassin charbonnier – le plus important en Chine – dont elle est le centre principal. On dénombre 500 000 mineurs employés dans la région. Beaucoup vivent et travaillent dans les immenses cités minières qui regroupent jusqu’à 40 000 habitants pour la plus grande. D’autres travaillent aussi dans des dizaines de milliers de petites mines privées, souvent illégales aux conditions de sécurité précaire. En 2006, les accidents miniers ont fait plus de 4700 morts en Chine. Environ 70% de l'électricité chinoise provient de centrales thermiques fonctionnant au charbon. Mais en Chine, les mines constituent un enfer pour la main-d'oeuvre. Surmortalité, conditions de travail exécrables, corruption et destruction de l'environnement noircissent le quotidien des mineurs.
The Yungang Grottoes, in Datong city, Shanxi Province, with their 252 caves and 51,000 statues, represent the outstanding achievement of Buddhist cave art in China in the 5th and 6th centuries. The caves are surrounded by coal mining cities.
LIR0144233 © René Limbourg
The Yungang Grottoes, in Datong city, Shanxi Province, with their 252 caves and 51,000 statues, represent the outstanding achievement of Buddhist cave art in China in the 5th and 6th centuries. The caves are surrounded by coal mining cities.
LIR0144231 © René Limbourg
LIR0144867 © René Limbourg
A coal mining city.
LIR0144232 © René Limbourg
The train pass through these coal mining cities, to get the coal directly
LIR0144230 © René Limbourg
Mine number one in Datong. A girl is going back to home after school. In some coal mining cities, we can have till 40 000 thousands people living there.
LIR0144245 © René Limbourg
View on the coal mininig city number 9
LIR0144864 © René Limbourg
Mine number 9 in Datong. In winter, the temperature could reach -22 Fahrenheit.
LIR0144856 © René Limbourg
Mine number 9 in Datong. In winter, the temperature could reach -22 Fahrenheit.
LIR0144858 © René Limbourg
Mine number 9 in Datong. A man is going to search for coal to heat her home.
LIR0144235 © René Limbourg
In some coal mining cities in Datong, we can have till 40 000 thousands people living there.
LIR0144229 © René Limbourg
In winter, the temperature could reach -22 Fahrenheit. Children could play on the ice.
LIR0144865 © René Limbourg
In winter, the temperature could reach -22 Fahrenheit. Children could play on the ice.
LIR0144863 © René Limbourg
Old miners.
LIR0144859 © René Limbourg
Inside a bus from the mine number one.
LIR0144861 © René Limbourg
Front gate of mine number 9 in Datong. In winter, the temperature could reach -22 Fahrenheit.
LIR0144862 © René Limbourg
Mine number one in Datong. In some coal mining cities, we can have till 40 000 thousands people living there.
LIR0144246 © René Limbourg
LIR0144873 © René Limbourg
Old miner
LIR0144874 © René Limbourg
Mine number 1
LIR0144247 © René Limbourg
old miners
LIR0144877 © René Limbourg
Repairer of the carriage
LIR0144854 © René Limbourg
Mine number 9 factory
LIR0144855 © René Limbourg
Mine number 9 in Datong. A woman is looking for coal to heat her home.
LIR0144853 © René Limbourg
LIR0144878 © René Limbourg
Mine Number 9 factory
LIR0144860 © René Limbourg
Around the mine number one in Datong.
LIR0144879 © René Limbourg
LIR0144857 © René Limbourg
LIR0144866 © René Limbourg
Mine number one in Datong. In some coal mining cities, we can have till 40 000 thousands people living there.
LIR0144244 © René Limbourg
In a restaurant
LIR0144234 © René Limbourg
Mrs Wang funerals around the mine number one in Datong. She was aged 68 years old. In China, people are dressed in white for the funerals.
LIR0144869 © René Limbourg
Mrs Wang funerals around the mine number one in Datong. She was aged 68 years old. In China, people are dressed in white for the funerals.
LIR0144868 © René Limbourg
Mrs Wang funerals around the mine number one in Datong. She was aged 68 years old. In China, people are dressed in white for the funerals.
LIR0144871 © René Limbourg
Mrs Wang funerals around the mine number one in Datong. She was aged 68 years old. In China, people are dressed in white for the funerals.
LIR0144876 © René Limbourg
Tombs in mine number one in Datong.
LIR0144872 © René Limbourg
Tombs in mine number one in Datong.
LIR0144870 © René Limbourg