Jinhuagong Coal Mine

Jinhuagong Coal Mine, located in Datong, Shanxi, is a state-owned enterprise. Coal makes up 70% of China’s energy needs. With not much other industry in town, Datong has one of the largest production sites in the country, along with growing income inequality. Many smaller caves are privately-owned mom-and-pop operations that may escape regulation, making China’s coal mines among the deadliest in the world.
In contrast, the underground coal mine we visited was used to receiving politicians and tour groups. It was well-equipped with safety features such as gas concentration readers, hydraulic pumps to secure the cave roofs, and a series of chambers to regulate the cave’s regulate air flow. Even more reassuring were the signs which read:

“UndergroundExplosionTravelling” and

“WELCOME YOU MEN OF INSIGHT WHO CARE COAL UNDERTAKINGS.”