Ca Mau is known for its vast mangrove forests stretching in coastal localities. Therefore, the profession of mangrove coal tunneling has existed for many generations and has become one of the traditional professions of local people. Although it is hard, dirty, and the income is not high, this job brings a relatively stable income, helping people make ends meet.
Located alongside the Tam Giang River, 2/9 Coal Processing Cooperative is one of the oldest coal production facilities in Nam Can district. As a person who has been involved since childhood, Ms. Huynh Thi Dieu (Tam Giang commune, Nam Can district, Ca Mau province) knows almost every stage of the coal mine profession.
The main raw material for charcoal is mangrove trees that are cut into pieces and then stacked into the furnace. The furnace is built of bricks and mud with a diameter of 3 – 5m. When burning, the oven door will be sealed, leaving only the burning area and holes for smoke to escape.
People who have worked in coal mines for many years only need to look at the smoke from the furnace to know whether the coal has enough fire, then they will decide the time to close the furnace and wait for the coal to subside. Each furnace, depending on its size, produces 12 – 15 tons of coal.
Nowadays, due to the heavy use of fuels such as gas, electricity… the use of coal has decreased. However, the coal mining industry in Ca Mau is still on fire. Despite the hardships, many people are still determined to preserve it, seeing it as a resource bestowed by nature.
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Tags: Unique hundredyearold coal tunnel craft
