According to ViewFind, by the end of last year, the industry’s debt totalled 3 billion euros.

But authorities are not the only ones striving to support the coal industry. Many citizens, among them artists, are doing their part too.

Award-winning photographer Tomasz Tomaszewski has joined the voices of those trying to cheer up the 100,000 workers still employed in the sector.

In a soulful photo essay published on ViewFind, a platform for immersive, visual storytelling, Tomaszewski explores the coal-rich lands of Silesia. The long-time National Geographic contributor decided it was time to go beyond the news of debt, laws, and falling shares to show the real people getting their hands dirty while living with the uncertainty of a crumbling industry.

He shared a few images with MINING.com. To take a look at the whole gallery, visit this link.