LEST WE FORGET Remembering the Fallen  The Black Hole of Calcutta

The biggest challenge to underground mining was the working conditions one had to tolerate when inside the mine. The straight and narrow mine shafts made it difficult for the miners to manoeuvre around in.

The lack of light within the mountain itself made it difficult for the miners to see where they were going. There also existed the possibility of one's light burning out deep inside the mine and getting stuck in complete darkness.

"I was in the furthest part of the mine [and] my light went out and I'll tell you if you ever see the black hole of Calcutta, if you've ever heard of that, well that's where I was.

I practically had to crawl on my hands and knees feeling along the rail, travelling along the different seams and intersections [of the mine]. They were like veins shooting out in different directions." - Paul Chala, Michel Underground Miner, 25 years.