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Digging out a New Age for Coal - Neath, Wales(52 images)
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The Vale of Neath, South Wales, has maintained its predominant position in the history and production of coal since the Industrial Revolution in mid-nineteenth century. In 1984 and 1985, with Margaret Thatcher as the British Prime Minister, the loss-making, government-owned coal industry soon clashed with her liberal economic policies. The government announced plans to close many mines across...
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  • Gwyn Evans, 48, one of the miners working to restore Unity Mine is portrayed while having a break on the surface, on Friday, Apr. 13, 2007, in Cwmgwrach, Vale of Neath, South Wales. The time is ripe again for an unexpected revival of the coal industry in the Vale of Neath due to the increasing prize and diminishing reserves of oil and gas, the uncertainties of renewable energy sources, and the technological advancement in producing energy from coal while limiting emissions of pollutants, has created the basis for valuable investment opportunities and a possible alternative to the latest energy crisis. Unity Mine, in particular, has started a pioneering effort to revive the coal industry in the area, reopening after more than 8 years with the intent of exploiting the large resources still buried underground. Coal could be then answer to both, access to cheaper and paradoxically greener energy and a better and safer choice than nuclear energy as a major supply for the decades to come. It is estimated that coal reserves in Wales amount to over 250 million tonnes, or the equivalent of at least 50 years of energy supply, while the worldwide total coal could last for over 200 years as a viable resource compared to only a few decades of oil and natural gas. By photographer Alex Masi
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  • Miners in front of the entrance to the last deep mine in Wales, Tower Colliery are about to start the early morning shift underground on Tuesday, June 19, 2007, in Hirwaun, Vale of Neath, South Wales. The time is ripe again for an unexpected revival of the coal industry in the Vale of Neath due to the increasing prize and diminishing reserves of oil and gas, the uncertainties of renewable energy sources, and the technological advancement in producing energy from coal while limiting emissions of pollutants, has created the basis for valuable investment opportunities and a possible alternative to the latest energy crisis. Unity Mine, in particular, has started a pioneering effort to revive the coal industry in the area, reopening after more than 8 years with the intent of exploiting the large resources still buried underground. Coal could be then answer to both, access to cheaper and paradoxically greener energy and a better and safer choice than nuclear energy as a major supply for the decades to come. It is estimated that coal reserves in Wales amount to over 250 million tonnes, or the equivalent of at least 50 years of energy supply, while the worldwide total coal could last for over 200 years as a viable resource compared to only a few decades of oil and natural gas. By photographer Alex Masi
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  • Gwyn Evans, 48, (left) and Tony Berg, 58, (right) two of the miners working to restore Unity Mine are portrayed in the early morning before starting their shift into the mine, on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2007, in Cwmgwrach, Vale of Neath, South Wales. The time is ripe again for an unexpected revival of the coal industry in the Vale of Neath due to the increasing prize and diminishing reserves of oil and gas, the uncertainties of renewable energy sources, and the technological advancement in producing energy from coal while limiting emissions of pollutants, has created the basis for valuable investment opportunities and a possible alternative to the latest energy crisis. Unity Mine, in particular, has started a pioneering effort to revive the coal industry in the area, reopening after more than 8 years with the intent of exploiting the large resources still buried underground. Coal could be then answer to both, access to cheaper and paradoxically greener energy and a better and safer choice than nuclear energy as a major supply for the decades to come. It is estimated that coal reserves in Wales amount to over 250 million tonnes, or the equivalent of at least 50 years of energy supply, while the worldwide total coal could last for over 200 years as a viable resource compared to only a few decades of oil and natural gas. By photographer Alex Masi
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  • (left to right) Keith Aubrey, 56, Gwyn Evans, 48, Vernon Watkins, 62, some of the miners working to restore Unity Mine are portrayed while discussing a working procedure, on Thursday, Apr. 12, 2007, in Cwmgwrach, Vale of Neath, South Wales. The time is ripe again for an unexpected revival of the coal industry in the Vale of Neath due to the increasing prize and diminishing reserves of oil and gas, the uncertainties of renewable energy sources, and the technological advancement in producing energy from coal while limiting emissions of pollutants, has created the basis for valuable investment opportunities and a possible alternative to the latest energy crisis. Unity Mine, in particular, has started a pioneering effort to revive the coal industry in the area, reopening after more than 8 years with the intent of exploiting the large resources still buried underground. Coal could be then answer to both, access to cheaper and paradoxically greener energy and a better and safer choice than nuclear energy as a major supply for the decades to come. It is estimated that coal reserves in Wales amount to over 250 million tonnes, or the equivalent of at least 50 years of energy supply, while the worldwide total coal could last for over 200 years as a viable resource compared to only a few decades of oil and natural gas. By photographer Alex Masi
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  • Miners at the Unity Mine complex are starting the early morning shift by having a cigarette on the stairs leading to the entrance of the mine, while others are collecting the coal needed for the heating of the main complex, on Thursday, Apr. 12, 2007, in Cwmgwrach, Vale of Neath, South Wales. The time is ripe again for an unexpected revival of the coal industry in the Vale of Neath due to the increasing prize and diminishing reserves of oil and gas, the uncertainties of renewable energy sources, and the technological advancement in producing energy from coal while limiting emissions of pollutants, has created the basis for valuable investment opportunities and a possible alternative to the latest energy crisis. Unity Mine, in particular, has started a pioneering effort to revive the coal industry in the area, reopening after more than 8 years with the intent of exploiting the large resources still buried underground. Coal could be then answer to both, access to cheaper and paradoxically greener energy and a better and safer choice than nuclear energy as a major supply for the decades to come. It is estimated that coal reserves in Wales amount to over 250 million tonnes, or the equivalent of at least 50 years of energy supply, while the worldwide total coal could last for over 200 years as a viable resource compared to only a few decades of oil and natural gas. By photographer Alex Masi
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  • Miners are dropping their safety equipment in the lamp room of the last deep mine in Wales, Tower Colliery are about to leave after their shift underground on Wednesday, June 20, 2007, in Hirwaun, Vale of Neath, South Wales. The time is ripe again for an unexpected revival of the coal industry in the Vale of Neath due to the increasing prize and diminishing reserves of oil and gas, the uncertainties of renewable energy sources, and the technological advancement in producing energy from coal while limiting emissions of pollutants, has created the basis for valuable investment opportunities and a possible alternative to the latest energy crisis. Unity Mine, in particular, has started a pioneering effort to revive the coal industry in the area, reopening after more than 8 years with the intent of exploiting the large resources still buried underground. Coal could be then answer to both, access to cheaper and paradoxically greener energy and a better and safer choice than nuclear energy as a major supply for the decades to come. It is estimated that coal reserves in Wales amount to over 250 million tonnes, or the equivalent of at least 50 years of energy supply, while the worldwide total coal could last for over 200 years as a viable resource compared to only a few decades of oil and natural gas. By photographer Alex Masi
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  • Tony Berg, 58, (left) and Heddwyn Williams, 52, two of the miners working to restore Unity Mine are portrayed during their shift on the surface of Unity Mine, on Friday, Apr. 13, 2007, in Cwmgwrach, Vale of Neath, South Wales. The time is ripe again for an unexpected revival of the coal industry in the Vale of Neath due to the increasing prize and diminishing reserves of oil and gas, the uncertainties of renewable energy sources, and the technological advancement in producing energy from coal while limiting emissions of pollutants, has created the basis for valuable investment opportunities and a possible alternative to the latest energy crisis. Unity Mine, in particular, has started a pioneering effort to revive the coal industry in the area, reopening after more than 8 years with the intent of exploiting the large resources still buried underground. Coal could be then answer to both, access to cheaper and paradoxically greener energy and a better and safer choice than nuclear energy as a major supply for the decades to come. It is estimated that coal reserves in Wales amount to over 250 million tonnes, or the equivalent of at least 50 years of energy supply, while the worldwide total coal could last for over 200 years as a viable resource compared to only a few decades of oil and natural gas. By photographer Alex Masi
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  • Gwyn Evans, 48, a miner working to restore the safety and quality of the underground passage to Unity Mine, on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2007, in Cwmgwrach, Vale of Neath, South Wales. The time is ripe again for an unexpected revival of the coal industry in the Vale of Neath due to the increasing prize and diminishing reserves of oil and gas, the uncertainties of renewable energy sources, and the technological advancement in producing energy from coal while limiting emissions of pollutants, has created the basis for valuable investment opportunities and a possible alternative to the latest energy crisis. Unity Mine, in particular, has started a pioneering effort to revive the coal industry in the area, reopening after more than 8 years with the intent of exploiting the large resources still buried underground. Coal could be then answer to both, access to cheaper and paradoxically greener energy and a better and safer choice than nuclear energy as a major supply for the decades to come. It is estimated that coal reserves in Wales amount to over 250 million tonnes, or the equivalent of at least 50 years of energy supply, while the worldwide total coal could last for over 200 years as a viable resource compared to only a few decades of oil and natural gas. By photographer Alex Masi
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  • Miners are overlooking operations to bring a new USD 2.5 million excavator drill close to the coal face in order to start extracting again, on Tuesday, June 19, 2007, in Cwmgwrach, Vale of Neath, South Wales. The time is ripe again for an unexpected revival of the coal industry in the Vale of Neath due to the increasing prize and diminishing reserves of oil and gas, the uncertainties of renewable energy sources, and the technological advancement in producing energy from coal while limiting emissions of pollutants, has created the basis for valuable investment opportunities and a possible alternative to the latest energy crisis. Unity Mine, in particular, has started a pioneering effort to revive the coal industry in the area, reopening after more than 8 years with the intent of exploiting the large resources still buried underground. Coal could be then answer to both, access to cheaper and paradoxically greener energy and a better and safer choice than nuclear energy as a major supply for the decades to come. It is estimated that coal reserves in Wales amount to over 250 million tonnes, or the equivalent of at least 50 years of energy supply, while the worldwide total coal could last for over 200 years as a viable resource compared to only a few decades of oil and natural gas. By photographer Alex Masi
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  • Miners are having a laugh while on a short break from work inside Unity Mine, on Tuesday, June 19, 2007, in Cwmgwrach, Vale of Neath, South Wales. The time is ripe again for an unexpected revival of the coal industry in the Vale of Neath due to the increasing prize and diminishing reserves of oil and gas, the uncertainties of renewable energy sources, and the technological advancement in producing energy from coal while limiting emissions of pollutants, has created the basis for valuable investment opportunities and a possible alternative to the latest energy crisis. Unity Mine, in particular, has started a pioneering effort to revive the coal industry in the area, reopening after more than 8 years with the intent of exploiting the large resources still buried underground. Coal could be then answer to both, access to cheaper and paradoxically greener energy and a better and safer choice than nuclear energy as a major supply for the decades to come. It is estimated that coal reserves in Wales amount to over 250 million tonnes, or the equivalent of at least 50 years of energy supply, while the worldwide total coal could last for over 200 years as a viable resource compared to only a few decades of oil and natural gas. By photographer Alex Masi
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  • A miner is shovelling in front of the coal face inside Unity Mine while on his back stands the new USD 2.5 million excavator drill acquired by the company, on Tuesday, July 31, 2007, in Cwmgwrach, Vale of Neath, South Wales. The time is ripe again for an unexpected revival of the coal industry in the Vale of Neath due to the increasing prize and diminishing reserves of oil and gas, the uncertainties of renewable energy sources, and the technological advancement in producing energy from coal while limiting emissions of pollutants, has created the basis for valuable investment opportunities and a possible alternative to the latest energy crisis. Unity Mine, in particular, has started a pioneering effort to revive the coal industry in the area, reopening after more than 8 years with the intent of exploiting the large resources still buried underground. Coal could be then answer to both, access to cheaper and paradoxically greener energy and a better and safer choice than nuclear energy as a major supply for the decades to come. It is estimated that coal reserves in Wales amount to over 250 million tonnes, or the equivalent of at least 50 years of energy supply, while the worldwide total coal could last for over 200 years as a viable resource compared to only a few decades of oil and natural gas. By photographer Alex Masi
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  • A Welsh miner stands under a dim light inside Unity Mine, on Tuesday, June 19, 2007, in Cwmgwrach, Vale of Neath, South Wales. The time is ripe again for an unexpected revival of the coal industry in the Vale of Neath due to the increasing prize and diminishing reserves of oil and gas, the uncertainties of renewable energy sources, and the technological advancement in producing energy from coal while limiting emissions of pollutants, has created the basis for valuable investment opportunities and a possible alternative to the latest energy crisis. Unity Mine, in particular, has started a pioneering effort to revive the coal industry in the area, reopening after more than 8 years with the intent of exploiting the large resources still buried underground. Coal could be then answer to both, access to cheaper and paradoxically greener energy and a better and safer choice than nuclear energy as a major supply for the decades to come. It is estimated that coal reserves in Wales amount to over 250 million tonnes, or the equivalent of at least 50 years of energy supply, while the worldwide total coal could last for over 200 years as a viable resource compared to only a few decades of oil and natural gas. By photographer Alex Masi
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  • Miners at Unity Mine are extracting the first coal dug from the mine since its reopening more than a year ago, on Tuesday, July 31, 2007, in Cwmgwrach, Vale of Neath, South Wales. The time is ripe again for an unexpected revival of the coal industry in the Vale of Neath due to the increasing prize and diminishing reserves of oil and gas, the uncertainties of renewable energy sources, and the technological advancement in producing energy from coal while limiting emissions of pollutants, has created the basis for valuable investment opportunities and a possible alternative to the latest energy crisis. Unity Mine, in particular, has started a pioneering effort to revive the coal industry in the area, reopening after more than 8 years with the intent of exploiting the large resources still buried underground. Coal could be then answer to both, access to cheaper and paradoxically greener energy and a better and safer choice than nuclear energy as a major supply for the decades to come. It is estimated that coal reserves in Wales amount to over 250 million tonnes, or the equivalent of at least 50 years of energy supply, while the worldwide total coal could last for over 200 years as a viable resource compared to only a few decades of oil and natural gas. By photographer Alex Masi
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  • Safety standards require each miner to have a number plate to be left at the entrance of the mine as reference of them being underground, on Thursday, Apr. 12, 2007, in Cwmgwrach, Vale of Neath, South Wales. The time is ripe again for an unexpected revival of the coal industry in the Vale of Neath due to the increasing prize and diminishing reserves of oil and gas, the uncertainties of renewable energy sources, and the technological advancement in producing energy from coal while limiting emissions of pollutants, has created the basis for valuable investment opportunities and a possible alternative to the latest energy crisis. Unity Mine, in particular, has started a pioneering effort to revive the coal industry in the area, reopening after more than 8 years with the intent of exploiting the large resources still buried underground. Coal could be then answer to both, access to cheaper and paradoxically greener energy and a better and safer choice than nuclear energy as a major supply for the decades to come. It is estimated that coal reserves in Wales amount to over 250 million tonnes, or the equivalent of at least 50 years of energy supply, while the worldwide total coal could last for over 200 years as a viable resource compared to only a few decades of oil and natural gas. By photographer Alex Masi
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  • The coal washed at Unity Mine facilities is being loaded onto trucks and cargo trains to be sent to power stations around the United Kingdom from the Unity Mine complex, on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2007, in Cwmgwrach, Vale of Neath, South Wales. The time is ripe again for an unexpected revival of the coal industry in the Vale of Neath due to the increasing prize and diminishing reserves of oil and gas, the uncertainties of renewable energy sources, and the technological advancement in producing energy from coal while limiting emissions of pollutants, has created the basis for valuable investment opportunities and a possible alternative to the latest energy crisis. Unity Mine, in particular, has started a pioneering effort to revive the coal industry in the area, reopening after more than 8 years with the intent of exploiting the large resources still buried underground. Coal could be then answer to both, access to cheaper and paradoxically greener energy and a better and safer choice than nuclear energy as a major supply for the decades to come. It is estimated that coal reserves in Wales amount to over 250 million tonnes, or the equivalent of at least 50 years of energy supply, while the worldwide total coal could last for over 200 years as a viable resource compared to only a few decades of oil and natural gas. By photographer Alex Masi
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  • Gwyn Evans, 48, (left) and Keith Aubrey, 56, (right) miners working to restore Unity Mine, are joking with each others while taking a break on the surface, on Friday, Apr. 13, 2007, in Cwmgwrach, Vale of Neath, South Wales. The time is ripe again for an unexpected revival of the coal industry in the Vale of Neath due to the increasing prize and diminishing reserves of oil and gas, the uncertainties of renewable energy sources, and the technological advancement in producing energy from coal while limiting emissions of pollutants, has created the basis for valuable investment opportunities and a possible alternative to the latest energy crisis. Unity Mine, in particular, has started a pioneering effort to revive the coal industry in the area, reopening after more than 8 years with the intent of exploiting the large resources still buried underground. Coal could be then answer to both, access to cheaper and paradoxically greener energy and a better and safer choice than nuclear energy as a major supply for the decades to come. It is estimated that coal reserves in Wales amount to over 250 million tonnes, or the equivalent of at least 50 years of energy supply, while the worldwide total coal could last for over 200 years as a viable resource compared to only a few decades of oil and natural gas. By photographer Alex Masi
    Coal_Wales1...jpg
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  • A miner is cleaning his face from the black coal dust while exiting the Coal Processing Plant control room of the last deep mine in Wales, Tower Colliery, on Tuesday, June 19, 2007, in Hirwaun, Vale of Neath, South Wales. The time is ripe again for an unexpected revival of the coal industry in the Vale of Neath due to the increasing prize and diminishing reserves of oil and gas, the uncertainties of renewable energy sources, and the technological advancement in producing energy from coal while limiting emissions of pollutants, has created the basis for valuable investment opportunities and a possible alternative to the latest energy crisis. Unity Mine, in particular, has started a pioneering effort to revive the coal industry in the area, reopening after more than 8 years with the intent of exploiting the large resources still buried underground. Coal could be then answer to both, access to cheaper and paradoxically greener energy and a better and safer choice than nuclear energy as a major supply for the decades to come. It is estimated that coal reserves in Wales amount to over 250 million tonnes, or the equivalent of at least 50 years of energy supply, while the worldwide total coal could last for over 200 years as a viable resource compared to only a few decades of oil and natural gas. By photographer Alex Masi
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  • A cargo train transporting coal from Unity Mine to the biggest power station in Wales, Aberthaw, run by the energy giant nPower, is arriving at the Unity complex to loaded, on Friday, Apr. 13, 2007, in Cwmgwrach, Vale of Neath, South Wales. The time is ripe again for an unexpected revival of the coal industry in the Vale of Neath due to the increasing prize and diminishing reserves of oil and gas, the uncertainties of renewable energy sources, and the technological advancement in producing energy from coal while limiting emissions of pollutants, has created the basis for valuable investment opportunities and a possible alternative to the latest energy crisis. Unity Mine, in particular, has started a pioneering effort to revive the coal industry in the area, reopening after more than 8 years with the intent of exploiting the large resources still buried underground. Coal could be then answer to both, access to cheaper and paradoxically greener energy and a better and safer choice than nuclear energy as a major supply for the decades to come. It is estimated that coal reserves in Wales amount to over 250 million tonnes, or the equivalent of at least 50 years of energy supply, while the worldwide total coal could last for over 200 years as a viable resource compared to only a few decades of oil and natural gas. By photographer Alex Masi
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  • Peter Hunter, (left) and Tony Roberts, (right), the general manager of Unity Mine and lifelong miner are walking in a passage linking Unity main complex to the entrance of the mine to check the ongoing restoring operations, on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2007, in Cwmgwrach, Vale of Neath, South Wales. The time is ripe again for an unexpected revival of the coal industry in the Vale of Neath due to the increasing prize and diminishing reserves of oil and gas, the uncertainties of renewable energy sources, and the technological advancement in producing energy from coal while limiting emissions of pollutants, has created the basis for valuable investment opportunities and a possible alternative to the latest energy crisis. Unity Mine, in particular, has started a pioneering effort to revive the coal industry in the area, reopening after more than 8 years with the intent of exploiting the large resources still buried underground. Coal could be then answer to both, access to cheaper and paradoxically greener energy and a better and safer choice than nuclear energy as a major supply for the decades to come. It is estimated that coal reserves in Wales amount to over 250 million tonnes, or the equivalent of at least 50 years of energy supply, while the worldwide total coal could last for over 200 years as a viable resource compared to only a few decades of oil and natural gas. By photographer Alex Masi
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  • (left to right) Tony Berg, 58, Vernon Watkins, 62, and Keith Aubrey, 56, three of the miners working to restore Unity Mine are portrayed at the end of their shift while having a chat and compiling the daily operations report, on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2007, in Cwmgwrach, Vale of Neath, South Wales. The time is ripe again for an unexpected revival of the coal industry in the Vale of Neath due to the increasing prize and diminishing reserves of oil and gas, the uncertainties of renewable energy sources, and the technological advancement in producing energy from coal while limiting emissions of pollutants, has created the basis for valuable investment opportunities and a possible alternative to the latest energy crisis. Unity Mine, in particular, has started a pioneering effort to revive the coal industry in the area, reopening after more than 8 years with the intent of exploiting the large resources still buried underground. Coal could be then answer to both, access to cheaper and paradoxically greener energy and a better and safer choice than nuclear energy as a major supply for the decades to come. It is estimated that coal reserves in Wales amount to over 250 million tonnes, or the equivalent of at least 50 years of energy supply, while the worldwide total coal could last for over 200 years as a viable resource compared to only a few decades of oil and natural gas. By photographer Alex Masi
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  • Vernon Watkins, 62, (right) is talking to project manager, Stuart Beaumont, appointed by Centechnology, the company working to restore Unity Mine and bring it to its full extraction capacity, (1 million tonnes a year) on Thursday, Apr. 12, 2007, in Cwmgwrach, Vale of Neath, South Wales. The time is ripe again for an unexpected revival of the coal industry in the Vale of Neath due to the increasing prize and diminishing reserves of oil and gas, the uncertainties of renewable energy sources, and the technological advancement in producing energy from coal while limiting emissions of pollutants, has created the basis for valuable investment opportunities and a possible alternative to the latest energy crisis. Unity Mine, in particular, has started a pioneering effort to revive the coal industry in the area, reopening after more than 8 years with the intent of exploiting the large resources still buried underground. Coal could be then answer to both, access to cheaper and paradoxically greener energy and a better and safer choice than nuclear energy as a major supply for the decades to come. It is estimated that coal reserves in Wales amount to over 250 million tonnes, or the equivalent of at least 50 years of energy supply, while the worldwide total coal could last for over 200 years as a viable resource compared to only a few decades of oil and natural gas. By photographer Alex Masi
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  • Miners are having a shower at the Tower Colliery complex after a long day underground on Tuesday, June 19, 2007, in Hirwaun, Vale of Neath, South Wales. The time is ripe again for an unexpected revival of the coal industry in the Vale of Neath due to the increasing prize and diminishing reserves of oil and gas, the uncertainties of renewable energy sources, and the technological advancement in producing energy from coal while limiting emissions of pollutants, has created the basis for valuable investment opportunities and a possible alternative to the latest energy crisis. Unity Mine, in particular, has started a pioneering effort to revive the coal industry in the area, reopening after more than 8 years with the intent of exploiting the large resources still buried underground. Coal could be then answer to both, access to cheaper and paradoxically greener energy and a better and safer choice than nuclear energy as a major supply for the decades to come. It is estimated that coal reserves in Wales amount to over 250 million tonnes, or the equivalent of at least 50 years of energy supply, while the worldwide total coal could last for over 200 years as a viable resource compared to only a few decades of oil and natural gas. By photographer Alex Masi
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  • Vernon Watkins, 62, is holding some of the coal extracted from Unity Mine for the first time in 8 years on Tuesday, July 31, 2007, in Cwmgwrach, Vale of Neath, South Wales. The time is ripe again for an unexpected revival of the coal industry in the Vale of Neath due to the increasing prize and diminishing reserves of oil and gas, the uncertainties of renewable energy sources, and the technological advancement in producing energy from coal while limiting emissions of pollutants, has created the basis for valuable investment opportunities and a possible alternative to the latest energy crisis. Unity Mine, in particular, has started a pioneering effort to revive the coal industry in the area, reopening after more than 8 years with the intent of exploiting the large resources still buried underground. Coal could be then answer to both, access to cheaper and paradoxically greener energy and a better and safer choice than nuclear energy as a major supply for the decades to come. It is estimated that coal reserves in Wales amount to over 250 million tonnes, or the equivalent of at least 50 years of energy supply, while the worldwide total coal could last for over 200 years as a viable resource compared to only a few decades of oil and natural gas. By photographer Alex Masi
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  • (left to right) Gwyn Evans, 48, Vernon Watkins, 62, Keith Aubrey, 56, and Tony Berg, 58, miners working to restore Unity Mine after 8 years of inactivity are having a laugh under the setting sun after a long day working underground, on Thursday, Apr. 12, 2007, in Cwmgwrach, Vale of Neath, South Wales. They aim to extract 1 million tonnes of coal a year when the site will be ready to full production. The time is ripe again for an unexpected revival of the coal industry in the Vale of Neath due to the increasing prize and diminishing reserves of oil and gas, the uncertainties of renewable energy sources, and the technological advancement in producing energy from coal while limiting emissions of pollutants, has created the basis for valuable investment opportunities and a possible alternative to the latest energy crisis. Unity Mine, in particular, has started a pioneering effort to revive the coal industry in the area, reopening after more than 8 years with the intent of exploiting the large resources still buried underground. Coal could be then answer to both, access to cheaper and paradoxically greener energy and a better and safer choice than nuclear energy as a major supply for the decades to come. It is estimated that coal reserves in Wales amount to over 250 million tonnes, or the equivalent of at least 50 years of energy supply, while the worldwide total coal could last for over 200 years as a viable resource compared to only a few decades of oil and natural gas. By photographer Alex Masi
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  • The Vale of Neath is visible from the Tower Colliery complex on Tuesday, June 19, 2007, in Hirwaun, Vale of Neath, South Wales. The time is ripe again for an unexpected revival of the coal industry in the Vale of Neath due to the increasing prize and diminishing reserves of oil and gas, the uncertainties of renewable energy sources, and the technological advancement in producing energy from coal while limiting emissions of pollutants, has created the basis for valuable investment opportunities and a possible alternative to the latest energy crisis. Unity Mine, in particular, has started a pioneering effort to revive the coal industry in the area, reopening after more than 8 years with the intent of exploiting the large resources still buried underground. Coal could be then answer to both, access to cheaper and paradoxically greener energy and a better and safer choice than nuclear energy as a major supply for the decades to come. It is estimated that coal reserves in Wales amount to over 250 million tonnes, or the equivalent of at least 50 years of energy supply, while the worldwide total coal could last for over 200 years as a viable resource compared to only a few decades of oil and natural gas. By photographer Alex Masi
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