At Work in an Open-Pit Gold Mine, 1891. Creator: Aleksei Kuznetsov

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At Work in an Open-Pit Gold Mine, 1891. Creator: Aleksei Kuznetsov

At Work in an Open-Pit Gold Mine, 1891. One of 74 views taken in July 1891 and contained in the albumTipy i vidy Nerchinskoi katorgi (Views and inhabitants of Nerchinsk hard labor camps). The Nerchinskkatorgawas part of the katorga (forced labor) system of imperial Russia, located in the province of Transbaikalia (present-day Zabaykal'skiy Kray), near the Russian border with China. The katorga was administered by the Ministry of Interior and included prisons at Akatuy, Kara, Aleksandrovsk, Nerchinskii Zavod, and Zerentuy, all of which are depicted in the album. National Library of Russia

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Media ID 35126013

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Aleksei Kirillovich Kuznetsov Aleksei Kuznetsov Convict Convicts Digging Exile Exiled Forced Labour Gold Mine Goldmine Hard Labour Katorga Kuznetsov Aleksei Labour Camp Mine Mining Nerchinsk Transbaikal Territory Russia Penal Servitude Prison Camp Prisoner Prisoners Punishing Punishment Siberia Siberian Transbaikal Russia Zabaykalsky Krai Russia Meeting Of Frontiers Opencast Mine

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EDITORS COMMENTS
At Work in an Open-Pit Gold Mine," captured by Aleksei Kuznetsov in 1891, offers a glimpse into the harsh realities of the Nerchinsk hard labor camps in Transbaikalia, Russia. This image is one of 74 views taken during a July 1891 expedition and is part of the album "Tipy i vidy Nerchinskoi katorgi" (Views and inhabitants of Nerchinsk hard labor camps). The Nerchinsk katorga was overseen by the Ministry of Interior and consisted of prisons at Akatuy, Kara, Aleksandrovsk, Nerchinskii Zavod, and Zerentuy. The photograph depicts a group of men, likely convicts, working in an open-pit gold mine. The men are shown in various stages of digging, using picks and shovels to extract gold from the earth. The pit is vast, stretching deep into the ground, and the men appear small in comparison. The scene is devoid of color, with the men dressed in drab clothing, blending into the monochromatic landscape. The image serves as a stark reminder of the punishing conditions endured by those exiled to Siberia for crimes committed against the Russian state. The meeting of frontiers, where the Russian and Chinese borders met, provided an ideal location for the establishment of labor camps, as the harsh climate and remote location made escape difficult. The men in this photograph, along with countless others, were subjected to forced labor, enduring long hours in harsh conditions, far from their families and loved ones. This photograph, taken over a century ago, offers a glimpse into a time when the Russian penal system relied heavily on the exploitation of its convicts for the extraction of natural resources. The image is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring legacy of Russia's industrial past.

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