Coal is on its way out all over Europe, thanks to competition from the renewable energy sector, cheaper imported coal from Africa and Russia and air-quality regulations approved by the European Union. The decline of the coal industry has been particularly severe in Spain.
IBTimes UK presents an in-depth look at Spain's dying coal industry, by Getty Images photojournalist David Ramos.
The main entrance of Pozo Calderon coal mine in Villablino, which closed last AugustDavid Ramos/Getty ImagesBoots, helmets and clothes of the last miners who worked at the Pozo Calderon mine in Villablino – which closed last August – hang in the changing roomDavid Ramos/Getty ImagesHelmets are seen in the changing room of the Pozo Calderon coal mine in Villablino, which closed last AugustDavid Ramos/Getty ImagesEmpty lockers are seen in the changing room of the Pozo Calderon coal mine in Villablino, which closed last AugustDavid Ramos/Getty ImagesGirlie photos and a helmet are seen inside a locker at the Pozo Calderon in Villablino, which closed last AugustDavid Ramos/Getty ImagesThe Pozo Calderon coal mine in Villablino, which closed last AugustDavid Ramos/Getty Images
The village of Ciñera de Gordón in the province of Leon was once a thriving mining town, but its major employer, the Pozo Ibarra mine, closed down in 1998. Now, the entire village is up for sale – including 128 houses, 12 flats, a football pitch, a public swimming pool and a cinema – because the coal mining company owner of these buildings has gone bankrupt.
A shrine to Saint Barbara, patron saint of miners, is seen at the old entrance of Pozo Ibarra coal mine in Ciñera, which closed in 1998David Ramos/Getty ImagesRetired coal miners play dominoes at the bar in the village of CiñeraDavid Ramos/Getty ImagesManuel Diez, 90, retired coal miner, sits at a bar in the village of Ciñera. He started working as a coal miner when he was 14David Ramos/Getty ImagesRetired coal miners watch a Real Madrid football match at a bar in the village of CiñeraDavid Ramos/Getty ImagesHector Ordas checks his beehives in Cinera. He is then son of a coal miner who died in a labour accident. He decided to stay in the village and look for a different line of workDavid Ramos/Getty ImagesThe Pozo Ibarra coal mine in Ciñera, which closed in 1998David Ramos/Getty ImagesThe Pozo La Muerte coal mine in Pumarabule, which closed in 2005David Ramos/Getty ImagesA torn poster of a woman hangs on a wall in the changing room at the Pozo La Muerte coal mine in Pumarabule, which closed in 2005David Ramos/Getty ImagesThe Pozo Tres Amigos coal mine in Returbiu, which closed in 2000David Ramos/Getty ImagesA couple walk along a street in ReturbiuDavid Ramos/Getty Images
The Pozo Polio coal mine in El Sordan, which closed in 1992David Ramos/Getty ImagesAbandoned houses are seen on a street in LangreoDavid Ramos/Getty ImagesA man walks past houses belonging to the Pozo Candin I coal mine in Langreo, which closed in 2012David Ramos/Getty ImagesA woman walks past houses belonging to the Pozo Candin I coal mine in Langreo, which closed in 2012David Ramos/Getty Images
The coal mining regions of Spain, mainly located in the provinces of Asturias and Leon, are facing an uncertain future. In the 1960s more than 100,000 coal miners worked across the "Cuencas mineras" or coal mining regions. Nowadays there are fewer than 3,000.
Spain had 167 coal mines in 1990. Today there are fewer than 40. In the 1970s and 80s – the heyday of the Spanish mining industry – Asturias was one of the most prosperous regions in southern Europe. Now its growth is the lowest of all the regions of Spain, and it has a rapidly ageing population.
Swings are seen at an empty park in a neighbourhood built for coal miners in MieresDavid Ramos/Getty ImagesRetired people play board games at the old people's home in MieresDavid Ramos/Getty ImagesRetired women knit at the old people's home in MieresDavid Ramos/Getty ImagesRetired coal miners play cards at a bar in MieresDavid Ramos/Getty Images
Pilar Mendoza, 86, poses for a portrait at her home in Bustiello. Her husband, a coal miner, died in an accident when he was 37David Ramos/Getty Images
Former coal miner Joaquin Tunon, 89, poses for a portrait at his home in San Salvador. He started working a coal miner when he was 12 years old and retired in 1978David Ramos/Getty Images
The Spanish coal mining industry has long been kept afloat by generous government subsidies, but under a recent EU agreement, these must stop by the end of 2018. Any mines which are not profitable by that date must be closed.
Coal miners drink at a bar after their shift at the Pozo Santiago mine in CaboranaDavid Ramos/Getty ImagesIsaac Rodriguez, 34, poses for a portrait after his shift at the Pozo Santiago coal mine in Caborana. He started working as a coal miner when he was 20David Ramos/Getty ImagesHector Berruet, 29, poses for a portrait after his shift at the Pozo Santiago coal mine in Caborana. He started working as a coal miner when he was 19David Ramos/Getty ImagesThe Aurelio del Valle opencast mine in Santa LuciaDavid Ramos/Getty ImagesThe coal mining village of Santa LuciaDavid Ramos/Getty Images
Environmentalists have criticised the government for subsidising an industry they say is destined to disappear, and that the money would be better spent on developing renewable energy sources, in which Spain is a world leader.
