Mining

The Jharia Coalfield is one of the most famous and problematic mining regions in South Asia, combining immense industrial importance with a long history of environmental and human challenges. Located in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent, it has been central to India’s growth in heavy industry and steelmaking for more than a century, […]

The rise and closure of the mining complex at Kudremukh is one of the most compelling and contested stories in modern Indian industrial and environmental history. Nestled within the forested slopes of the Western Ghats, this operation extracted high-quality iron ore for decades, shaping local economies, transport networks and industry linkages across Karnataka and beyond.

The hills around Kudremukh have long been synonymous with rich deposits of iron ore and with a contentious chapter in India’s environmental and industrial history. Located in the rugged ranges of the Western Ghats, the mine that once operated at Kudremukh became an important source of raw material for steel producers, a major employer in

The Kovdor mining complex is one of the most recognizable industrial sites on the Kola Peninsula. Located in the far northwest of Russia, the mine extracts both phosphate-bearing and iron-rich ores from a distinctive igneous massif and processes them into concentrates that feed domestic industry and export markets. This article explores the mine’s location and

The Mirny Mine is one of the most iconic industrial landmarks of the Russian Arctic, a colossal excavation that symbolises decades of mineral wealth extracted from the permafrost of Siberia. Located in the heart of the Sakha Republic, this remarkable site has shaped local communities, influenced global diamond supply, and become a potent symbol of

The Udachny mine is one of the most important diamond-producing sites in Russia and the world. Located in the remote expanses of northeastern Siberia, it has shaped the industrial development of the Sakha region, contributed to global diamond supply, and served as a focal point for innovations in cold-climate mining. This article explores the mine’s

The industrial heartland of polar Siberia is dominated by an enormous mining and metallurgical complex often referred to collectively as the Norilsk-Talnakh area. Located above the Arctic Circle, this remote cluster of operations sits at the edge of the tundra and permafrost and has shaped regional life, global metal markets, and environmental debates for decades.

The vast plains of southern Mongolia host one of the world’s most significant coal deposits: Tavan Tolgoi. This massive complex, whose name means “Five Hills” in Mongolian, is a focal point of national development, international investment and geopolitical interest. The deposit’s scale, quality and strategic location near the Chinese border have made it a central

The Erdenet mining complex stands as one of Mongolia’s most important industrial landmarks, a large-scale operation built around a rich porphyry deposit of copper and molybdenum. Located in the north-central part of the country, the mine has shaped the region’s urban development, influenced national trade patterns, and remained a focal point of political and economic

The Oyu Tolgoi complex in southern Mongolia has become one of the most talked-about mining developments of the 21st century. Combining vast mineral reserves with ambitious engineering, complex political negotiations and major socioeconomic impacts, it is a project that reshapes both the local landscape and national prospects. This article explores where Oyu Tolgoi is located,