Arctic Coal

Halfway between mainland Europe (600km south) and the North Pole (1000km north) lays a archipelago called Svalbard. One of the world’s northernmost inhabited areas. Formed by over 400 islands, shaped by glaciers and surrounded by the Arctic Ocean which penetrates uncountable fjords it is home to more polar bears then humans. The need to carry a rifle is necessary as soon as one leaves town into the wild where no streets nor trails, no cars or trees can to be found. Today mostly known for its its rugged terrain and wild nature, it has also a rich coal mining past. In the summer of 2015 and 2016 I went on an adventure trip to Svalbard to explore and document the remains and traces of of its once glory mining industry.