Chromium, this dull gray rock, hides within it the brilliance of our everyday lives. From the cutlery on our tables, the mirrors reflecting our faces, the cars that transport us, to the printers that capture our thoughts, chromium is everywhere. Albania is one of the largest producers of this precious metal in Europe, with the Bulqizë mine, located about 40 miles from the capital, holding one of the country's largest chromium deposits.
The town of Bulqizë, with a population of 32,000, is a community that lives and breathes the mine. Beneath the imposing shadow of Mount Mali I Lopës, people here work tirelessly, battling the earth to extract the chromium that fuels our modern world. However, their daily lives are fraught with challenges and dangers.
Debresi, a miner who over the years has become a political activist, shared his painful story with me. When he was injured in the mine, he received no compensation or healthcare, something that, unfortunately, is common practice. The miners here live on an average salary of 300 euros per month, with pensions ranging from 100 to 120 euros. Job security, healthcare, and union support are nearly non-existent.
The harsh conditions and job insecurity have pushed the workers to their limits. The reported death toll in Albanian mines stands at 300, a number many believe underestimates the true tragedy faced by the miners' families. Their stories are filled with pain and injustice, yet also with strength and resilience. Life in Bulqizë is tough, but its people continue to fight, keeping the hope for a better tomorrow alive.
A miner pushes carts
A panoramic view of the town with the mountain looming in the background
The shadows of two men talking outside a caf in the town
A stray dog sleeps beside piles of garbage near the chromium mines
Workers descend from the mountain mines back into town at the end of their shift
Miners push heavy wagons through the tunnels
A wide view of the mountains surrounding the mines
nside the state-owned mine
Ore-filled wagons carrying stones rich in chromium
A miner struggles to push a wagon toward the mine s exit
A bus waits to take workers back to town after their shift
A townsman makes a wish as he blows the of a flower