The advent of "clean-coal technology" in the 1990s has enabled coal mines throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia to reopen at record rates, especially in the wake of war in Iraq and America's dependence on foreign oil.

The miners risk life and limb 500 feet below ground, often working all day on their stomachs or hunched over in a short tunnel. Their goal: coal. Make money and go home to their families and, for many, their farms. Because farming is no longer profitable for most of these men, coal pays the bills and farming is what they do when they're not in the mines. Their version of 'going fishing.'

James Nachtwey visited coal miners in eastern Ohio and West Virginia in August 2006, where he met fourth generation miners like Bill Cermak of Dillonville, OH, who lives on the same farm as his great grandfather, grandfather, father and brother.



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