The miners who are protesting in the “Raspotočje” pit of the Zenica Brown Coal Mine say that they will not give up their demands despite the extremely difficult conditions in which they have been living for several days. One of them, Sanel Hasanović, described for BHRT what everyday life looks like underground and why they decided to stay in the pit until the demands are fulfilled.
“We are no longer good neither physically nor mentally”
The miner of the Zenica Brown Coal Mine briefly came out of the pit to talk to BHRT about the conditions in which he and his colleagues spend their days underground
After three days spent in the pit, miner Sanel Hasanović says that they are exhausted, but that the struggle for existence drives them to protest.
“I came out of the pit after three days. Mentally, we are still holding on, we are stable, but we are no longer good either physically or mentally. We have no place left. Not home, not for the children. You come home, you ask to bring something to your children, but you don’t have any,” Hasanović told BHRT.
He points out that miners cross long distances inside the pit every day, which further complicates their conditions.
“Every day we walk two and a half kilometers in one direction and two and a half in the other. We hold on as we know how, both mentally and physically, but we have decided to persevere to the end, no matter what.”
He adds that there is great uncertainty among his colleagues.
“There are other colleagues, they know best how they feel, but it’s not good for anyone. It’s not easy for anyone,” said our interlocutor.
Speaking about the conditions in the pit, Sanel says that the miners sleep on planks and that they are in an extremely dangerous working environment.
“We are in one of the most dangerous methane pits in the world. We are left to our own devices,” Hasanović points out.
He thanked the trade union that delivers basic necessities to them every day.
“Thank you to the union that is with us, coming and bringing us food, drinks and everything else we need. And where are we sleeping? We are sleeping on boards,” miner Sanel Hasanović told BHRT.
The miners say that, despite the difficult conditions and exhaustion, they are sticking to their decision not to leave the pit until their demands are met.
