Mining in China

Ma Baeker, miner Photograph: Jonathan Watts/Jonathan Watts

The skies above Gansu in the summer, but in the winter Ma must work in snow and temperatiures of minus 10C Photograph: Jonathan Watts/Jonathan Watts

Orange earth and green scrub scenery of Gansu Photograph: Jonathan Watts/Jonathan Watts

A wooden pier above the coal heap Photograph: Jonathan Watts/Jonathan Watts

Black dust billows out as Ma unloads another tonne of coal above the jerry-built wooden pier. He wears no face mask despite the risks of pneumoconiosis Photograph: Jonathan Watts

Ma takes a break between loads. A tonne of coal is winched up every seven minute Photograph: Jonathan Watts

An iron boxcar loaded with coal Photograph: Jonathan Watts/Jonathan Watts

A hut housing the mine's generator and winch Photograph: Jonathan Watts/Jonathan Watts

Workers inside the flourite mine in Gansu, China, where a man was crushed to death by a boxcar that came off the rails last year Photograph: Jonathan Watts

Mine owner Wang Photograph: Jonathan Watts/Jonathan Watts

Fellow miners Photograph: Jonathan Watts/Jonathan Watts

A miner steps out of his hut Photograph: Jonathan Watts/Jonathan Watts

Ma's accommodation, shared with 30 other miners. All are from the Muslim Hui minority, while all of the management are from the dominant Han ethnic group Photograph: Jonathan Watts

Miners' beds, living quarters Photograph: Jonathan Watts/Jonathan Watts

The miners play Chinese chess and other board games between shifts Photograph: Jonathan Watts/Jonathan Watts

The Halal cook carves up a lamb for the miners' dinner Photograph: Jonathan Watts/Jonathan Watts

Yongchang county town where Ma spends his rare days off Photograph: Jonathan Watts/Jonathan Watts

A mining truck carrying another load of ore through Gansu Photograph: Jonathan Watts/Jonathan Watts