The Last Coal Miners (Injustice Documentary) | Real Stories

Hard Coal: Last of the Bootleg Miners is a feature documentary about the last twelve independent coal miners in the United States and reveals the crushing injustices they face as they desperately cling to a familiar way of life while fighting off threats from unfamiliar enemies. The film is personal, political, and powerful.
Directed by Marc Brodzik and Produced by Woodshop Films. US. 81 mins.
Filmed from 2004-2008, completed in 2009.
From Hard Coal- Last Of The Bootleg Miners
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[@janmock1596]

My grandpa was a miner in WV and western Pennsylvania from 1918 to 1979. He told me countless stories of cave ins and deaths from noxious gasses. He was a modern medical miracle with black lung, smoking a pipe until he died in 2002 at the age of 97. He was born in 1905 and started at the age of 14. I will never forget the stories of death.

[@rambo3801]

They ain't making like him no more

[@emoraytorres6842]

I wonder what grandpa would think of today's generation 😁

[@monxcyrl2604]

@@emoraytorres6842 imagine people back in 1920 reacting to our generation

[@tiernanwearen8096]

@@monxcyrl2604 they probably would have a heart attack

[@emiliobelez4255]

See now that’s a real man

[@petemoss8625]

Just want to say a big hello, and a even bigger respect from a EX British coal miner (Harworth colliery). Gone now, like every other coal mine in the UK. But once a miner always a miner.

[@ladyhonor822]

You better believe it 🙏🇺🇲❤️ AMEN Mount Carmel Pennsylvania

[@CabinFever1]

Y'all rock! Indiana County here. Mary jane mine was the last mine a uncle of mine worked and retired from. Ill never forget my grandfathers coming home covered in coal dust. Cleaning dust off them as they were head'en out to the fields and taking care of their crops, farms. Hard to the core they were. Im one of the oldest grandkids and remember it well. God Bless Y'all

[@m3k886]

Awesome! I live in lucernemines

[@marklawrence2274]

I've been in the anthracite region all my life. These guys are tuff as nails.... got nothing but respect for them. RIP David A

[@1joshjosh1]

Anthracite? Lucky lucky. I'm in a sub Bituminous place. But you are correct they are tough as nails.

[@daphnia6897]

Avoca, PA (Luzerne county) here. Coal mining is in my blood too, that's why I feel obligated to study Environment Science, so I can make an improvement to our mine scarred region. IMO we are always going to need coal, at least a small amount, so we should be supporting the most environmentally friendly method of coal removal. These small, privately owned mines seem to be as "clean and green" as you can get when dealing with mining.

[@haunter_1845]

They really are. The nature of underground mining on a tight budget means that you only remove what you need and not what you don't. The strip mines in PA need to remove all of the shale that the underground mines of our past chose to leave. They don't even get any coal until the whole mountain is gone.

[@davesendit1348]

You know, Bill and guys like him are heros to me. A hard working guy dealt some tough cards to play through his life. God bless him.

[@Crustypeenhole]

Eastern Kentucky born and raised. I watched large coal corporations like Massey Energy bleed my place of birth dry in the early 2000s. Definitely hits home to hear these small business men and women's stories.

[@hillbillyrecovery4345]

I was a miner. My dad,grandfather,and great grandfather was miners. My dad and I both worked surface mines. I went underground for about 6 months. Rather run equipment. I got hurt a few years ago. Now I can't pass there physical now. I miss it so bad I can't stand it. Being a miner was such a honor. I feel like something big is missing from me

[@morganbanwell4525]

I truly hope you can find something else that you enjoy as much or even more. It’s safer that you are now away from it, but I still send love. I bet your loved ones are relieved for your health and safety.

[@93jummy]

Aussie coal miner in the same boat mate😔

[@dyrnenorka]

my dad was a coal miners at Snowshoe West Virginia it was in the 1980s

[@lifesajourney9575]

I live in Southern West Virginia, not to far from Mingo County, which used to be a booming coal mining town before so many of our coal companies shut down. Those coal miners were some mighty brave, hardworking, good men.. I honestly admire anyone who can tolerate working underground for long hard hours where a lot of the time they can't even stand up straight underground. I can't imagine how spooky & scary that would be. May God bless & protect every single coal miner! 🙏 ❤️

[@honestlydontcareduh885]

That lady in the red shirt hit it right on the nose its the big company's paying these inspectors to shut them down with fines so they can swoop in and buy their land for pennys

[@honestlydontcareduh885]

The real crime is what these companies do to the the people and the land

[@vincec.202]

Damn strait...and here in WV and Pennsylvania, the EPA shuts them down if they don't. It's absolutely decimated a lot of families. It was the one job a man could do and support his family and leave the wife to raise the kids and not have to worry about the bank taking the house😔

[@princebuster93]

It happened in the UK, back in the 1980s, it devestated many Welsh families and their communities 😥😢

[@ThunderTrain2930]

I’ve been in love with the coal region and coal mines ever since I was first introduced to the pioneer tunnel in Ashland when I was around 4-5. My love for the region will never die.

[@skr570EsideCrazeeCatLady]

I'm from Schuylkill county all my life actually. It was AMAZING watching this documentary done by such a reputable doc story

[@Whats-It-To-Ya]

I'm from Schuylkill County too. Coaldale.

[@erasedfromgenepool.4845]

Hard men and hard living... It builds character and and moral! These are the men who would pick up arms and defend your freedoms... These are the men who built this great nation and now the government has turned against them ... I learned a long time ago the American dream is no longer reachable.. It is just that now a dream... I take my hat off to every one of these gentlemen!!!! God bless you brothers!

[@waynekimmel5742]

Sad thing some of these men in this film are now passed on. My Husband work with a few of them and he passed away this winter from Black lung. My one son remains in the mines today and the future looks not as good now as it could.

[@krystingrant6292]

My condolences

[@t.r.4496]

Coal is trying to make a comeback. I have returned power to a prep plant that hasn't run since '12. I hear the trains now that I stopped hearing go by. There will always be a place for coal. My condolences to you and your family.

[@hunters36forgingwoodworkin73]

My I ask to which mines he works and what it is mining. I have a blacksmith shop and it uses anthracite coal as the fuel of choice and there may be a small chance the coal I use comes from the mine your son works in.

[@morganbanwell4525]

I hope your son can find safer work!💕

[@taylormaegarner8758]

Please help your son find a safer occupation to ensure his longevity

[@johnchappell5477]

The courage and bravery of these Men and the families that support them is something special..thanks

[@FEJK82]

* The Independent Miners; Remember that the Lord loves a Hard-workin man! God, please Bless these families. * The Filmmakers; Very well done. Thank you for reminding people how to make an unbiased documentary - Semper Fi

[@teknoaija1762]

lord loves miners and he has shown that thru high death rates.slavery like conditions etc.jesus truly loves the hard working man and in bible he says you should not work,leave your family to die of neglect,live your life like a bird in the sky.what the f k are you talking about moran!!men of god rape children and talk you out of your hard earned money to pay for their whores.how many miners god saved?how many black lungs did jesus heal?how many broken families has god blessed.why are coal regions among the poorest in nation??

[@michellegrunebergholmes893]

My family is from the Shamokin Pennsylvania region. I remember my Grandfather working the mines. There are no harder working family then a coal family!

[@Svveet69]

My family has been is West Virginia forever. My grandfather left in the 50s and took his family to California. He left because he didnt want his kids working in the mines. Im thankful that my grandfather made that decision. Alot of the family still in West Virginia are living a ruff life. Alot of unemployment and drug addiction. I wish large companies like ATT would open up call centers there instead of sending thoses jobs overseas

[@garlandremingtoniii1338]

Call centers don’t pay diddly squat. No man can support a family working at one of them.

[@vincec.202]

I'm in Morgantown and most jobs are still $10 an hour. I'm leaving and never coming back. Came back for love...left broke and heartbroken both times. NEVER AGAIN. ITS SAD HERE...and it's a shame because I grew up here. It's beautiful, but it's not worth living in poverty

[@keetahbrough]

or you could remember how to community. ya'll know how to be willing slaves but can't stand up and work for your own benefit.

[@hayleyscocoabear100]

@@keetahbrough Many talk about keeping the land,but,you know,they are killing you all off,and God allows it,because most people are secret society members and serve false gods.Drug addiction is desecrating many families.People will still not repent and turn to the real God,and except Jesus as their Lord and savior.

[@gila4424]

Att uses Mexican prisoners in the south rn

[@kenzovolks5953]

I'm a millwright apprentice and I work in the coal mines of Canada, respect to those still just trying to make a living ❤ stay strong 💪

[@bryanelam7431]

These men are as tough as it gets, literally!!! The upmost respect from me & I hope everyone else too!!!

[@chrychica21]

Pittston PA here as someone who grew up in coal country these men needed these jobs to survive and the towns never truly recovered. This is why so many of us leave the area to find jobs things haven't changed as much as we'd like to think.

[@spanksterandall290]

52:48 This is the reason for MSHA/ATF/UMWA being called in & all the fines. Nothing more, nothing less. Big Business pushing out smaller Companies. *DAMNED SHAME* 😡

[@pnwRC.]

100% agreed!

[@charliekezza]

They haven't had an accident in 40 years and they are getting citations. I work in a supermarket and we don't even make a year without someone hurting themselves

[@upminer6162]

Haven't "reported" an accident.

[@milla698]

This is what a real American looks like. "GOD BLESS ALL OF THEM"

[@davecaliff4612]

David A will always be missed along with a cold Premium from the cooler on the porch after coming up out of the hole. I grew up in Sago WV at the Badger Coal Mine where my dad worked until we moved to the Skook. I grew up and ended up working with or becoming friends with most of these guy's. I'll always miss the 1,000ft ride on a steel cable....

[@kenzpenz]

OMG and I thought I had a tough life. I dropped out of High School and joined the US Army and went Airborne, jumping out of airplanes for $76.00 a month plus $55.00 for hazard pay. Ten years later I attended OCS and became an officer, and off to fight in a stupid war for two tours and was wounded during both tours. After the Army I went into being a mechanic, but that paid poorly, so I went to work at the County jail and State prison, then finally got a job as a police officer here in the town I retired from the Army in. Then until injuries retired me out. I salute these brave hard working folks that risk their lives to feed their families. My God, look at that coal dust they are inhaling. Most have bad teeth and either work or someone else will take that job. So what is going to change for the better, you are looking at it. I am 84 years old, and today I have an appointment with the VA.

[@samuelbroudy9420]

Over here around Pittsburgh it's steel in the blood. And its west Virginians and Kentucky we count as brothers. Sometimes we forget our brothers on the other side of the mountains. Thank you for the reminder.

[@ScumfuckMcDoucheface]

Fantastic film. Now these are simply. good. people.

[@PaNaMaMa1981]

So sad. I am from Harrisburg, PA. I have been to several places mentioned here. You can tell that these places mentioned were once alive. Now they are rundown, poor, and look like an empty shell of what once was a hustling, bustling place. It is extremely sad 😥

[@chriskeith9801]

Next time one passis me on double yellow it will be on video and reported promise that!!

[@jamessaunders1926]

Knowing the coal to fuel oil is why they want these folks out. Corporate greed.

[@claymack1109]

Exactly

[@judeodomhnaill9711]

My friend is an anthracite coal miner and knows these guys. Interesting to see in my recommendation list.

[@Wendy-op3bu]

@ 1:04, you ain't going out no handcuffs you're going out in a casket thank you for this video I hope it stays up on KZbin for a hot minute I'm sharing it

[@ericae6903]

My papaw was a coal miner for peabody mines in Terre Haute, Indiana. He died of black lung in his 70's.

[@lespoole8527]

My father died there also he was a mechanic ? I applied for job there me an my brother ? They hired my father an not me or my brother

[@jackjones943]

I'd love an update on this! I feel for these folks. Underground mining is so much better than mountain top. Greed ruins society.

[@SolarSavage]

I worked for 20 years in Ky Wv Va and i can tell people if you have never worked in a mines you have no ideal, I loved the mines and My Brothers coal miners, How i wish i was still a miner at 61 years old

[@rillawhat8142]

I heard the word "family" more than a Fast and Furious movie

[@Wendy-op3bu]

Lol

[@donovanprice95]

Chill 😂

[@hardcorehunter9438]

The fast and furious movies dont even have "family" in it a lot. Nor does this really. You're an idiot 😂😂😂

[@vincec.202]

That's because in Appalachia they ARE ALL FAMILY...just ask sister cousin...😆. I really shouldn't joke because the reality is that coal mining was the one industry that fed families and sent children to school and payed the taxes for infrastructure here, and when the mines shut down, what it did to families with sole breadwinners...proud...hard working husband's and fathers...was a true travesty and shamed them to the point generational poverty and hopelessness became a way of life. It's not a joking matter. They worked themselves to death but were happy to do it to support their family. There was NOTHING LEFT. No way to feed their families. It happened overnight almost. A lot of families never recovered.😪

[@ScarletFlame101786]

@@vincec.202 You mentioned it very briefly but one of the worst things was the health they were left with. They had no support and couldn't work because they were too sick. Lungs full of coal, soot and dirt. The breadwinners ended up needing their families help medical wise. They couldn't sell their property either being in a ghost town no one would buy it. I got to go see a few old mines first hand ....wow. They worked hard and long scary hours. I couldn't imagine working in a crack of earth where the light on your head could make a spark and clap that crack shut with a boom. Very fascinating work though.

[@christopherspencer8802]

very poignant and insightful documentary being in England where are coal mines were shut in the 70s and the damage it's caused to families, I know how much those guys must be hurting..

[@dbzfanexwarbrady]

i mean , it was inevitable same is gonna happen to Oil

[@Del-Canada]

My grandfather and two of my uncles worked the mines in Sydney, Nova Scotia, back in the 50 and 60's.

[@ScumfuckMcDoucheface]

It's funny, you could almost hear some Newfie in some of these guys here eh? threw me right off... I'm guessing it's the remnants of the Irish/Scottish accents from back in the day, here and out east both

[@Del-Canada]

@@ScumfuckMcDoucheface If you close your eyes and listen they do sound like Newfies.

[@chrismaurina5260]

Same in my family in nyc,my grandfather, father,brothers,cousin,uncles,and our sons all in cement and concrete workers local 6a queens,ny but we work in all 5 Boro it’s a family tradition I knew I was gonna do this when I was a young kid

[@ScumfuckMcDoucheface]

how much if someone wants to throw something/someonw in the pad while you look the other way?

[@Dreadnacht715]

Both sides of my family moved to Hazleton/Freeland from ruthenia (western Ukraine) in the late 1800s and worked the local Anthracite mines up till their closing In the 40s/50s. I've been down in some of the old abandoned working including the slope which lead to where my great grandfather was killed in a collapse, which is now since long been flooded at the bottom. I can't imagine how rough it had to be having to be down there day in and day out underground especially in the earlier days. Im claustrophobic no way I would have made it having to crawl around in those tight spots. My great great grandfather on my father's side was a fire boss and would check the mines for gas leaks.

[@dougbelasco5586]

I'm a retired boilermaker the shutting down of the coal fired power plants hurt us very bad lets hope they can turn it into diesel fuel i know a few people that heat with hard coal this is terrible in every way

[@user-ux6tp4ut9k]

I'm so glad I stumbled across this. Brings me back to my younger days growing up in Shamokin. its sad when our government does this to such good folks! I've never met a more hard-working bunch of people as coal miners. I was glad to have known a lot of the Shingara family growing up.

[@thomass8362]

It almost seems that if you were born and raised in the USA, the Government does not want you to succeed in anything that you can do on your own!!! It has been forgotten that this country is the greatest in the world because of the labor and ingenuity of hard working Americans.

[@rippitallout149]

I know it ALL TO WELL. Lived it my whole life. They like you if you're a HUGE company though.

[@HE-162]

Surprised to see this, a community I know, in my notifications this morning. Good group of guys out there. There are still a few deep anthracite mines running coal. They’re still hanging on by a thread

[@foreverlove8919]

Why do they live so poor?

[@jeremypitchford140]

Seen that Centralia sign that town still has a mine burning under it since 1962 where they got the idea for the town on Silent Hill I work in a mine In Southern Illinois the mine next to us caught fire they still haven't went back in been almost a year

[@mariekatherine5238]

Small, 2-4 man mines are no danger to huge corporate mines. That’s like saying church bake sales are going to put Entemanns bake goods out of business.

[@Del-Canada]

No, but the large corporate mines want that land and the coal deep in that land. That is the issue.

[@anthonycope8637]

@@Del-Canada exactly the little guys can own it and live off it for the next 200 years the corporate world needs it now because they need it as the next place to strip 10 years from now

[@patrickbriody1341]

It’s all about the property

[@JoeBidenSucks2020]

Called to much government!! They want it all, the land, the money, the power!! Corrupt and useless!!

[@woodlandsteve]

I take my hat off to you all. Long live the independent miners. Ste UK.

[@deniseshephard3347]

What I see is a close knit community that is their for eachother its deep rooted family each of the coal miners was and is very special its very sad that the old ways have gone

[@lunsy9420]

I'd love to know how much the first guys make. It can't be much more than overhead. A big machine problem and they might not eat. Hats off to these guys

[@Carlos.Da.CreaToR]

This is a coal miner from Marion county, WV. We work for American Consolidated Natural Resources ... Last of a dying breed... Just lost one of our young bosses Trenten Dille aged 26 to a rib roll two weeks ago. He left behind a wife and two young daughters 5 and 2... "This is a cold dark world n I'd rather spend mine in a cold dark hole with a smile on my face and my brothers by my side... "

[@Wendy-op3bu]

WOW ! 🖤

[@Wendy-op3bu]

Excuse me I'm learning what is a liberal I'm sorry for the loss of your friend

[@Wendy-op3bu]

Excuse me what I meant to say what is a rib roll ?

[@Wendy-op3bu]

Must be warm down there in the winter and cooling the summer eh?

[@brandysigmon9066]

@@Wendy-op3bu It's 51 degrees year round. I think a rib roll means he may have got covered up or a rock fall

[@vonyinzer]

I have watched this documentary before but it is always a great watch. I have to wonder if in this day and age if any of these companies are still in business.

[@ww2067]

It gives you an update at the end of the documentary which ones are still in business which ones are not

[@mikereilly7629]

Brilliant. My ancestors were Irish and Scottish. The Irish side of the family came in 1800 to dig the Erie canal.then worked on the train tracks of the transcontinental railroad. But some went into the coal seams under the green hills of Pennsylvania. All of them members of the ORDER OF HIBERNIANS. And yes, They were Molly Maguires until Pinkerton infiltrated the brotherhood, and 11 men were hung in 1877.anyone else out there got the blood of the Mollies in their veins? Anyone who has ever heard of them???

[@WMsandKFCisBackMOFOs]

What are Mollie McGuires ?

[@hayleyscocoabear100]

@@WMsandKFCisBackMOFOs Many do not want to hear this,but the real reason,the Mountain people are poor,and live like they do,is many are secret society memebers and pretend to be christians.Many Mountain witches,either cursing the people,or God is.Witcchraft and the occult is Forbidden.Many young people are drug addicts and dying of opioid addiction.Still,the people will not repent of their sins,and turn to The Real God.Only Jesus can save.

[@maburg713]

I'm DEFINITELY going to look into them!! Thank you for this -- I LOVE History!!

[@maggiesfarm7970]

I've heard of them, but none in blood.

[@robroaring7175]

Such an interesting story. Real life…real people. Clearly big company money squashing the little guy. So very sad.

[@gobstoppa1633]

great sadness and great rage" a fire that will never die out, a fire in which those whose greed caused it will undoubtably eventually BURN",.

[@Wendy-op3bu]

Ha ah ha ah ah

[@foreverlove8919]

@@Wendy-op3bu what is funny you weirdo?

[@cindyvangesen3724]

I am from Schuylkill County and I have been in coal mine with my Mom (many years ago) you don’t realize what they go thru on a daily basis! Thank you for this documentary

[@terrypbug]

My grandfather was a coal miner in WV he said it was tuff but loved it and died of black lung right after retirement

[@foreverlove8919]

🙏 I'm so sorry. Why do these in the video live so poor if coal brings in so much money?

[@terrypbug]

@@foreverlove8919 o I don't know it's how they lived he had money just didn't look like it

[@shippys2043]

Real comment

[@TwoBs]

@@foreverlove8919 I know for my area growing up here in southern WV, coal mining was _the_ best job one could get for the money. No joke - boys would get out of high school and make the choice: go into a trade (carpentry, electricity, welding, etc.) or do mining. 9/10 times, it was mining. From the 70s to the 90s, it was a big boom for miners in terms of money before they came in and shut everything down come the 2000s. I think a lot of people outside of mining towns/states have a very negative view on how it was like and automatically assume everyone was just dirt poor in these places (especially Appalachia - heard it all my life how we were to be pitied because we were just “dumb and poor”). It wasn’t like that until governments stuck their hands in everything and then left the people high and dry, making it harder on families to live comfortably. Then those same people who perceive areas like this as dumb and poor turn and shame areas like this and have the nerve to say things like “gee let the government help and do it’s thing so you can make money” forgetting the government is why it got so bad to begin with. I knew guys who were bosses over their own crews that had nice homes and drove brand new vehicles, with their workers/miners making enough to sustain them and their families comfortably, as well. My father worked down in the mines for 20 years then drove a coal truck for the same companies. We weren’t mega rich, but we weren’t scraping by, either. We were comfortable for the WV area and time. It was really nice. But once things closed down, I saw towns die. My hometown just dried up. Stores left, people moved, and eventually the elementary school ended up consolidating with another school….and it was left behind. People were struggling. Some had to downsize and move into smaller homes or rent out something less, a lot had to sell their vehicles just to get by. Government made all the rules and shut it all down, administration at the time claimed they’d help areas like ours move into the future, but no. We had nothing in its place. Once they did what they did, they left many areas to pick up the pieces alone … people lost everything. It’s like we were stuck in time, not given any other way out because all we knew was mining. Now 2-3 decades into the future (present day) people continue this view on coal mining towns as being uneducated and poor not understanding it wasn’t always like that. They were purposely forgotten.

[@foreverlove8919]

@@TwoBs thank you for explaining this. It reminds me of dirt poor countries who should be rich, like Africa for diamonds, Guatemala for bananas. They are dirt poor bc of the government is so corrupt. 😥 😔 😟

[@AlreadyShort]

i like how people who sit behind desks think they know how the world turns

[@michaelbeams9553]

A way of life never dies easily .

[@jimbrown4652]

I have so much respect for coal miners and their families. God bless them 💙

[@mariekatherine5238]

There is no such thing as “zero emissions technology.” Somewhere along the line, there will be the result of transfer or transmission of energy. Learn basic physics. Think! A zero emissions car runs on a lithium ion battery, right? What is involved in the making of that battery? In the transportation of materials? In the electric needed to recharge the battery?

[@judeodomhnaill9711]

Amen brother

[@stillliving5899]

The other thing, is how much coal is needed to run a nuclear power plant. And the amount of destruction to the land to dig up the metals to make an electric car, causes more pollution than a car running on fuel. They want to take the US down, just look at the world. God bless.

[@danny-li6io]

Amen a second time!

[@judeodomhnaill9711]

@Steve B what you say is common sense which is what the save the planet types lack. Just like the keystone pipeline...it's more destructive to the environment once it's been cancelled. More ships, trains, trucks, etc.

[@judeodomhnaill9711]

@@ramenlover1727 coal gives you all metal, coal is used for water filtration, coal is and will always be mined.

[@TheLisaGate]

My grandpa, great grandpa, and great great grandfather were all miners in Pennsylvania in Portage County. My grandfather was one of the toughest men I’ve ever met.❤

[@FishtownRec]

And I guarantee at least half of these hard working miners were affected by the opioid epidemic, because Appalachia was the first and most hardcore hit.

[@lorib.2934]

You guys are not far from me! I pass by mines many times when I drive around! I'm near minersville and this is really interesting to me! 👍

[@dawnblunt4753]

Incredibly sad. From the granddaughter of two coal miners.

[@foreverlove8919]

🙏

[@coalregionrider6525]

I ride coal region alot and have been in a few mines. I Love the history.

[@chadshank5115]

Great video! These companies in the USA have the freedom to operate. The government has used its power and influence to take away the freedom for them to choose how to make a living. Obviously safety is of the utmost importance, they are family and friends. MSHA focus on education of miners. That is where to make a difference in the industry. The demand in the market will determine if these companies remain in business; not be put out of business by high fines and increased oversight.

[@joycelint6652]

had family that worked in coal mines in both WVA and Ohio. My paternal grandfather had to go to work in he mines at the age of 9 when his father died. He went to 4th grade in school.

[@garlandremingtoniii1338]

I sit here watching this, wondering to myself, Wondering where are all these men today.

[@vincec.202]

Out of work. They shut down the mines and doomed their families to a life of poverty.

[@dooleysmichiganhomestead8339]

Thumbs up from the Dooley's of Michigan

[@captain776]

They have alllllll my respect. Damn hard way to make a living

[@DMWBN3]

My fathers side of my family were Welsh & from the mining towns of the valleys in Wales. Hard workers, but so many of those once bustling towns & villages are a grim sight.

[@foreverlove8919]

Can u please answer my question. Why do they live so poor if coal brings so much money?

[@foreverlove8919]

@B00 050 yup! Thanks! 👍 👌 🆗️ 🙆‍♀️

[@A_p_T53040]

@@foreverlove8919 because when the coal mines closed. There were no jobs to replace them. The government won't give you any benefits if you have any savings. Those that could afford to leave did

[@ministryofyahushua3065]

Thanks for the Intel.

[@maggiesfarm7970]

Wow! I thought my family was poor! Daddy was a carpenter who worked a second job at the YMCA as a cashier on Sundays and holidays. Mom became a nurse when I was 3 years old.

[@jacobling8903]

I wish someone would do a follow up on theses miners

[@chanley313]

Some of the toughest people on earth💪🏼

[@vincec.202]

Proud and Godly too❤

[@yorktown1953]

The Coal Industry was the American Industrial Revolution!!! The backbone of Industry in the entire industrial world actually. Hello Eastern Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania ✊🏽

[@usmra1]

Had a few beers with David A. Great people!

[@richardgraham65]

What an excellent documentary! Tough people doing a tough job, all whilst having to fight off the government trying to close them down.

[@wyattearp7082]

Love how they were bashing resources like we were out 50 yrs ago and here we are still screaming it. It's ummm almost like as soon as they realize people are onto it, we switch to different resources to make profits on and screw over consumers

[@kevohwapipelinetransami4351]

Best Doc

[@mickeycopa6045]

GREAT VIDEO!!!!!

[@HackHunter1835]

West Virginia salutes all those Men who lost their livelihood and health. When you breath it, you live it. RIP coal..

[@coalreichert1634]

My cousin’s Buck Bender and Kris Bender and Rick Kocker and Lary Bender had Little Buck Solpe

[@valaksimulations4503]

Grew up around coal my who early life. Always wanted to try a career in mining but I left with the military. Mining does still fascinate me

[@brianr8581]

Boy this boils my blood! I'd never wish harm on a fellow human but I sure hope that greasy union lawer is now residing somewhere round the flooded 1500 lvl

[@TheMattc999]

There's a difference between a fellow human being and a worthless waste of flesh...... Edit- a waste of flesh who is none the less usurping oxygen that could otherwise be used to sustain our fellow human beings.

[@ffsForgerFortySeven.9154]

I love how the bloke in the background of the thumbnail looks like the actor from the Chernobyl series

[@shelbykidwell9138]

My great grandfather came from Poland and went to Beckley wv was a miner both grandfathers and my dad plus uncle all worked in mines

[@justing6594]

Should do a follow up video of these guys!

[@janetrawlings1691]

P.A. Dutch and proud of it,living in Havre de Grace MD USA 🙏 🇺🇸 ♥ now

[@Wendy-op3bu]

@1:12.00 cool song that black heart thing I must have knew it's intuitively to say Blackheart earlier. I've never really heard that term before. get em boys get em

[@dhiosalehmining3746]

Hello & thankyou for the documentary video.. coal miners from Indonesia

[@charliemcgee9803]

That looks like a really fun job. Difficult, but fun.

[@brianr8581]

God bless the hard worker!

[@michaelharley9013]

"God Bless the Working Man ....... and Never Trust Whitey". - Family to Steve Martin in "The Jerk" as he was leaving home for the first time.

[@vincec.202]

Amen! Oh...and F*** the government for what they did to these families.

[@batchagaloopytv5816]

jesus christ that first small mine omfg idk my life is different forever and i was confined space rescue certified for 20+ as a city FD unreal just unreal-had an aunt and uncle in bucks county it was a beautifull ride to visit i must say -om on east coast aswell

[@MissAshten]

The Irish accent in America still comes through. Be proud of where you started in America.🇺🇸

[@petecastle5762]

It’s truly a shame that coal miners were treated so unfairly , esp the “ low level “ owners that were just trying to provide food and shelter for their families , and friends . I live in coal country here in eastern Ky and there’s very little work going on , my forefathers were all coal miners and I shortly worked in the coal business . MSHA and UMWA hurt our neighborhoods and has caused a lot of poverty , most men have never had a job outside a coal mines and now they are left without any training to make a living doing anything else . MSHA can write themselves into the history books to come for destroying all the coal operations and thank themselves for the importation of oils from other countries , therefore making even less jobs for “ us “ Americans 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@Wendy-op3bu]

Well put !! Thank you

[@Skunkhunt_42]

5:41 I can't even draw a circle that round

[@ladyhonor822]

Thank you Gentlemen 🙏🇺🇲❤️ AMEN 2023 One more THING what happens to all those elements you had mentioned??? Philadelphia USA

[@dOob56]

How about few more ads? I almost saw video in the backround

[@ScumfuckMcDoucheface]

If you slide the slider to the end of the video and then hit the restart button yt will think you've already watched it once and the adds disappear, sometimes it takes a couple tries... either that or get an add blocker

[@dOob56]

@@ScumfuckMcDoucheface i watch these from smart tv so its not that simple....iv tried to connet from phone but its not working like that 🤬 fcking yt,they cant continue like this much longer

[@MultiWillemb]

lol what i only got 1 at the start

[@ScumfuckMcDoucheface]

@@dOob56 yeah I hear ya... I watch on my phone **shrug** yt sucks.

[@ScumfuckMcDoucheface]

@@MultiWillemb there were legit 20 or more before i got rid of them when I watched the other day