
Situated high above the Arctic circle, the Kupol mine of Siberia is one of the toughest places to work in the world with temperatures reaching as low as minus 31 degrees Fahrenheit.

Gold was first discovered in the region in the 1940s and was forcibly extracted under the Stalin regime through the gulag labour camp system.

Yet workers employed at the Kupol mine in Chukotka, northeast Russia, now enjoy a surprisingly comfortable lifestyle despite the bitter temperatures and remote location of the mine.

Some of the workers enjoy a two month break but only after completing two months of work without any weekends

Gold was first discovered in the region in the 1940s and was forcibly extracted under the Stalin regime through the gulag labour camp system

Kupol Mine produced its first gold ore in 2008 and has since extracted both valuable metals of gold and silver.

Workers operate at the mine without weekends, completing a standard 12 hour day, according to Atlas Obscura.

After the two month period, the workers receive two months rest before returning for another two month stint.

However, life isn't all work and no play. Employees get to enjoy the impressive facilities in the remote site, including a rock cafe, a strong internet connection and even a gym.

Polacham, one of the camp's chefs, works six weeks without weekends at the camp before returning to enjoy a four week rest at home in Kerala,Southern India

Several of the members of staff enjoy a game of tennis tennis whilst working at the remote site, where the daily working hours is 12 hours a day

The impressive site includes a prayer room and has enough supplies of food to feed the 1,200 strong work force

Relaxing around the billiard table, the staff take time out from their busy working schedules to enjoy a bit of relaxation

The extraordinary well sourced mining site even as an experimental hydroponic greenhouse, where around 25kg of fresh salad are grown each day for the hungry workforce

Ping pong, television and billiards are also on site for workers wishing to relax and unwind from the stress of work.

Yet the isolated location of the mine means that supplying the 1,200 workers with enough food requires serious planning.

In fact, food supplies have to be delivered two years in advance, via a 220-mile ice road. Due to the extreme weather, the route is only accessible from January to April each year.

There is even a hydroponic greenhouse, allowing workers to enjoy a healthy balanced diet. The unusual daily lives of the mine workers was captured by Russian photographer Elena Chernyshova.

The freezing temperatures can reach as low as minus 31 degrees Fahrenheit during winter time in the remote Russian region

The camp even has a fully functioning internet connection to allow workers to keep in touch with family and friends