A goldmine deep in Siberia, one of the most godforsaken workplaces.
Scroll down to see more
Elena Chernyshova
Elena Chernysheva, winner of the World Press Photo Contest, spent 10 days at the Kupol mine, where gold and silver are extracted in harsh conditions (temperatures can drop down here to -50⁰C / -58⁰F). She went into the mine 400 meters underground, observed the ordinary life of workers and depicted the endless landscapes of ice-covered Chukotka.
Elena Chernyshova
The Kupol goldmine (its name means ‘Dome’ in Russian) is situated in a remote area at the far edge of Eastern Siberia in the Russian district of Chukotka.
Elena Chernyshova
It is accessible only by air, with a two-hour flight from
Magadan (10,306 km from Moscow). In the low temperatures between November and April a 350 km ice road runs across the tundra to the port of
Pevek (the most northern Russian city). This is the main supply route for industrial equipment and other goods.
Elena Chernyshova
This region of Siberia reportedly has the second largest gold reserves in the world, behind only South Africa.
Elena Chernyshova
“Nowadays this mine is the most modern in the world, despite being located in a very isolated spot in the most severe weather conditions. It looks like a set from a science fiction film. In every field advanced technologies are integrated: remotely operated drills work the deepest recesses of the mine to minimize the risk to workers,” Elena Chernysheva shares her impressions.
Elena Chernyshova
“The living quarters resemble a space station with a long corridor and sleeping wings on both sides. The sleeping compartments are quiet and isolated from noisy areas, while the corridor is filled with social facilities: recreation spaces like a gym, ping-pong and pool tables, a library, TV lounges, tearooms and a prayer room.”
Elena Chernyshova
In addition, there is an experimental hydro-culture greenhouse providing around 25 kilos of fresh salad on a daily basis, as well as jobs for the locals.
Elena Chernyshova
The mines are operated by an international team. Russians and Ukrainians make up 75% of employees, while the rest of the workforce comes from all over the world – Canada, Germany, Brazil, Chile and Hungary.
Elena Chernyshova
A work shift lasts for two months with a twelve-hour working day, followed by a two-month break.
Elena Chernyshova
Before the Canadian company Kinross Gold began mining Kupol in 2008 (construction of the site started in 2005), these gold deposits were mined by prisoners of Stalin’s camps in the 1930s.
