Anthracite is mined largely by hand using the same 19th century techniques as generations before. The coal seams are narrow and steep which prevents use of large equipment. Unlike the large bituminous mines which have hundreds of people working below the anthracite mines have only a handful.
Old Little Buck Mine, now closed and decommissioned.
New Tattoo, old Little Buck Mine, 2011
(mine is now closed and decommissioned)
Matt was 19 years old and a new miner when I photographed him. His shirt sleeve was pulled up to show me his new Independent Miners of America tattoo. It is estimated that there are fewer than 100 independent deep miners left in Pennsylvania.
Buck, Little Buck Mine
Buck is co-owner with his father of a mine which employs five people. Their old mine had been worked for 30 years and the coal seam had run out so they had moved equipment a quarter mile away and dug exploratory trenches
Farmer Bob, old B&B Mine, 2013
(mine is now closed and decommissioned)
Robert Bachman died in July 2020 of lung disease at the age of 58.
Smoke Break, old Little Buck Mine, 2012
(mine is now closed and decommissioned)
Coal miner Bob Shingara taking a smoke break during the closing and decommissioning of the old Little Buck Mine. This building was soon torn down, and the miners hauled their huge equipment away to a new location. His family has been mining for three generations and most of his uncles, brothers and nephews are miners.
Randy, Orchard Slope Mine, 2011
Wayne, Harris Mine
Dave, D&F Mine
Rick, Little Buck Mine, Schuylkill Co. PA 2011
A 30-year-old hard living miner with multiple scars from accidents and bar fights, Rick ended up symbolizing for me the typical personality of many miners. What did I take away from my time spent with the miners? The relationships, the bonds, the ties that they have, the pride they take in what they do, and the pride they take in being independent
Larry, Superior Coal Breaker
Craig, Harris Mine
Roberta, Orchard Slope Mine
Roberta is the only woman I have seen working at any of the mines during my project. She works above ground as a hoist operator