Red Star, Black Gold
Coal can be seen as symbol of economic growth in China. In the last few decades China has become the workshop of the world, with manufacturing forming the backbone of its economy. From iPhones to luxury handbags, car parts to plastic toys – the world sources many of its goods from Chinese factories. Many of these factories have been using coal fired power stations to operate. Until recently China consumed more than half of the world’s coal, but the Covid‑19 outbreak has triggered a sudden marked decline in demand. One source of Chinese coal is Inner Mongolia, which has vast reserves and it is where these photographs were taken in 2009.