By Amanda Froelich Truth Theory
Little do people know that in the remote region of Siberia in Russia, a secret economic boom is taking place. Intrigued and hoping to learn more, Radio Free Europe photographer Amos Chapple visited the region in 2016 and entered the world of illegal mining for tusks and the remains of long-extinct wooly mammoths. Reportedly, Russian men participate in the illegal activity to sell the remains on the black market where they are guaranteed to receive a big payday. Chapple’s investigation reveals a compelling cycle of desperation, hard work and environmental consequence, as Bored Panda reports.
Woolly mammoths are thought to have lived in Siberia around 400,000 years ago. Arctic relatives to the modern elephant, woolly mammoths were submerged under permafrost and many remain encased in ice beneath the ground. To mine for the tusks, the men have to blast the thick, icy mud with water pumped from nearby rivers. Not only is the task arduous and dangerous, it is illegal. However, because mammoth tusks sells for about $35k when sold to Chinese buyers, it’s deemed a worthwhile risk by some — especially in some Russian cities, where the average monthly wage is under $500.
In the following photo series, the harsh reality of illegally mining mammoth tusks is revealed. The men constantly go to great lengths to acquire the remains and often battle hoards of mosquitos, live in fear of detection by the police, and exert great effort to brave rugged terrain. To remain motivated, they guzzle quarts of vodka and cheap beer and as a result, fights oftentimes break out.
The most horrific part of the ordeal, however, is the environmental toll resulting from the illegal industry. Run-off water from the frozen Earth they douse returns to rivers, where it pollutes serene streams and raises silt levels dramatically.
The photo series is accompanied by Chapple’s own commentary as written in his RFE article.
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I am Luke Miller, content manager at Truth Theory and creator of Potential For Change. I like to blend psychology and spirituality to help you create more happiness in your life.Grab a copy of my free 33 Page Illustrated eBook- Psychology Meets Spirituality- Secrets To A Supercharged Life You Control Here