Gallery: Take a Tour of Kupol, an Isolated, Freezing Gold Mine in Siberia
Elena Chernyshova01Golden Kupol
Located in a remote corner of Siberia, more than 1,000 people live and work in this barren landscape.
Elena Chernyshova02Golden Kupol
A drill covered with special housing to protect it from Arctic temperatures.
Elena Chernyshova03Golden Kupol
A worker checks instruments at a meteorological station.
Elena Chernyshova04Golden Kupol
Vehicles on the 200- mile ice supply road that connects the Kupol gold mine to the port of Pevek.
Elena Chernyshova05Golden Kupol
A worker smelting gold into ingots.
Elena Chernyshova I hanslucas.co06Golden Kupol
The gold concentration plant uses 4.5 thousand tons of ore from the Kupol and Dvoinoye deposits.
Elena Chernyshova07Golden Kupol
Gold is extracted from underground mines a quarter-mile deep.
Elena Chernyshova08Golden Kupol
Inside the mine.
Elena Chernyshova09Golden Kupol
A scientist in the Kupol laboratory creates samples of the precious metal.
Elena Chernyshova10Golden Kupol
An experimental hydro-culture greenhouse produces fresh lettuce every day for staff.
Elena Chernyshova11Golden Kupol
In February, the outside of the camp is coated with a thick layer of snow and ice. Inside, however, there are continuously heated rooms, including a gym.
Elena Chernyshova12Golden Kupol
Staff relax by playing a game of table-tennis.
Elena Chernyshova13Golden Kupol
Workers spending down time in one of the staff bedrooms.
Elena Chernyshova14Golden Kupol
A rock group made up of miners plays in the Solstice Café.
Elena Chernyshova15Golden Kupol
The Aurora Borealis hangs in the night sky above the Kupol gold mine.
