Earth to Earth

The thick darkness of an early winter morning is disrupted by the shining headlights of a workers' bus. An unpleasant fog and cold fill inside of the vehicle that takes Ostrava's miners and gravel workers to their work. The miners of the Paskov mine, Popieluch, Makuch and Podhorský are still in the dark, deep below the surface of the earth from where they have been mining tons of worthless material all day and sending them to the surface by a continuous conveyor chain. Every day, no matter what the weather is, summer or winter, the miners extend their journey downwards. At the same time, the gravel pit workers Kališák, Folvarečný, Petřík and Polák are also working around the clock. Their excavators do not stop for a moment, and tons of gravel go deep into the dug shaft to help reinforce the concrete road. A winter day is not very conducive to such work. The cold and wet fog make things difficult. The steady and regular running of the machinery fills the barge with gravel, which the pilot takes down the gravel pit lake to the conveyor. The lake is frozen with a thick layer of ice that must be blasted away to allow the conveyor to pass. Mastering heavy equipment requires considerable amount of concentration, precision, and experience. One step must follow the next one very smoothly, and the cooperation of the gravel workers is crucial. Once again, the crane's grippers pick up a load of gravel and unload it onto the conveyor belt. The work is interrupted by refreshment with a hot drink. As dusk approaches, the workers in rubber coats and hats take the last batch away. The working day ends in the dark. Tired and satisfied, the miners and gravel workers change their clothes and return to their homes together while talking to one another.