Coal mining in West Kostenia

Coal mining in West Kostenia is a key industry in the Socialist Republic of Kostenia and the Socialist Federation of Sentrzyija. Kostenia produces 60% of all Sentryzijan coal and exports globally. Kostenian coal is considered to be some of the highest quality in the world. The Kostenian coal fields are apart of a wider industrial area known as the Ifânsij-Kâstengrât industrial belt.

Coal mining began in Kostenia in the 18th century and peaked in the early 20th century. The Third Kostenian war and fourth Kostenian war both helped to harm the industry and the subsequent Troiyan coup severely damaged the industry, leading to a period of depression from the 1920s to the early 1930s. To avoid the Troiyan embargo the Sentryzijân government opted to ship coal down the Obrâ river to the gulf of Morfeyra. Since the 1940s the industry has recovered significantly. Coal mining makes up for 73% of all jobs in West Kostenia. = History =

Origins
Coal has been mined in Kostenia since antiquity, however no large scale mining projects appeared until the 18th century and the industrial revolution. The first modern coal mine was funded in 1778 by Hejmut Vairn Kostjen, a Troiyan industrialist. Soon after the industry began to rapidly expand, re-shaping and scarring Kostenias landscape. By 1850 Kostenian coal made up 40% of coal exports in eastern and central Velizka.

Growth of the industry
As coal mining grew in Kostenia people began to leave the countryside for the newly growing mining towns, creating increased demand for housing. This lead to the mine owning industrialists funding the creation of cheap and expansive housing for their mine workers. The houses were generally cramped and poorly insulated, allowing for disease to spread through the mining towns quickly. This along with the vast wealth industrialists made from mining operations lead to wide discontent among the workers and the formation of Trade Unions and worker orientated political parties like the Socialist party of Troiya.

1906 - 1918
In 1906 the Third Kostenian war began, leading to the region once again becoming a battle ground between empires. By 1909 the dust had settled and all of the historic region of Kostenia had come under the control of the Obradinian Empire. This period of unification under the Obradinian Empire would be shortlived however, as in 1910 the Obradinian revolution would break out. The miners of Kostenia went on strike in solidarity with the revolution, culminating in violent clashes between police and miners and eventually a full uprising in Kostenia. The period also saw an influx of freed Cutalis into the mining regions as the slave system broke down and many were free but out of work. In 1911 the fourth Kostenian war would erupt, just 2 years after the third. The revanchism fueled Troiyan army swept across eastern Kostenia, meeting the Workers and Peasants Liberation Army near Oligsij. The would end in 1916 with Troiya taking most of eastern Kostenia, leaving many important mining regions under the control of revolutionary workers councils and Yavatiats.

1918 - 1968
1918 saw the founding of the Socialist Federation of Sentryzijâ and the autonomous Socialist Federal Republic of Kostenia. The period 1918-24 are seen as a period of mixed emotion by historians and Kostenian natives a like. The victory of the worlds first Socialist government was a joyous occasion for many workers, especially the miners. However the Revolution, civil war and Troiyan invasion had come at a great cost. The Troiyan embargo lead to a collapse in Kostenian coal exports and the ensuing famine meant that many were left out of work and hungry. This miniature depression continued until the 1930s when in 1933 Vyðrin completed the process of nationalisation of the coal industry, bringing all mines in Kostenia under the jurisdiction of the National Coal Collective of Sentryzijâ. The 1940s saw a return to normality in the industry and increased safety regulations and workers rights under the new socialist regime lead to an increase in living conditions for miners. In 1950 Vyðrin died and the countries leadership passed down to his son Vyðrin Sentrysk Klârâ, known by most citizens as "Little Vyðrin". The 1950s were a period of stagnation in Sentryzijâ. Little Vyðrin proved to be as much a tyrant as his father and twice as incompetent a leader. During the leadership of Little Vyðrin standards of leaving declined and corruption grew within the government. This culminated in an illegal strike breaking out across the Ifânsij-Kâstengrât industrial belt in 1966. The strike was brutally suppressed bye government forces but the damage was done, the seeds of dissent had been sown. In 1968 little Vyðrin was removed from power by the party due to his unpopularity and incompetence. His son, who had previously been purged from leadership by his father for criticising his regime, was selected by the party to replace him.

1968 - 1980
The rise of Poroz to power saw a transformation of Sentryzijân society. In 1969 he introduced a plan to reform the country opening it up economically and culturally. The reforms gained mass public support. Part of his reforms included the legalisation of previously banned parties and trade unions. Mine workers in Kostenia abandoned the state operated National Workers Syndicate en mass to join the new Miners Federation of Sentryzijâ. In 1970 the war in Slova began and Poroz's poor response and a divided parliament meant that his popularity began to waver. In 1972 was defeated by the Republican Union candidate Lanâ Sentrysk Lynâ. Janâ was a committed Liberal and ran on a platform of stamping out Socialist influence from the countries constitution for good. Her election lead to protests by Variskists and counter-protests by Liberals. On the issue the leader of the MFS, Konrâd Varmân said "Any attempts by capitalist elements of our government to take control of industry from the workers will be met with blood, sweat and strikes!". In 1977 a military coup by left-wing elements of the Sentryzijân army overthrew Lanâ Sentrysk Lynâ and her government. This lead to a period of direct military rule from 1977 to 1980. In 1980 Alyik Mykraz Lanâ was selected by the military to ruled the Socialist party of Sentryzijâ. Alyik refused many of the authoritarian measures imposed by the army, including legalising rival leftist organisations such as the Communist Party of Sentryzijâ and the Miners Federation of Sentryzijâ.

Present
In 1984 the government and the Miners Federation of Sentryzijâ signed the Solukar agreement, awarding all employees of the National Coal Collective of Sentryzijâ a raise.

= Production = wip

By municipality
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Exports
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= Political aspect = In West Kostenia almost all miners are unionised, and many are members of the Communist Party of Sentryzijâ. The Communists have won the majority of Kostenian districts in every election where the party was legal. The Communist party and coal miners have a special relationship, dating back to before the Obradinian revolution. The Socialist party of Sentryzijâ's mostly rural base meant that it industrial workers were left without a means of organisation except for workingmen's halls. Other than the Communists, the Kostenian Union also have some influence among the miners. However despite minor successes they have never made managed to displace the Communists due to their authoritarian policies, seen as undesirable by most workers.

Yavatiats
Since 1969 multiple Yavatiats have sprung up across West Kostenia. There are 9 mining Yavatiats in West Kostenia (inluding 6 Kâljiks) and they act as part of the Coalition of Hyperleft and Craniomodern Organisations. There has been some tensions between authorities and these Yavatiats, however relations remain mostly praceful. 2 other National Coal Collective mines have expressed interest in converting to a Yavatiat however opposition from some miners and authorities has meant that these plans have not come into fruition.

= Cultural aspect = Mining has had an immense influence on the culture of Kostenia. There exists workingmen's halls in every town and village in Kostenia. They serve as the centre for all gatherings, cultural and social events. A unique style of folk music has arisen out of the work songs and protest songs of the miners. Many mining related words have become apart of the common Kostenian vernacular. Some Kostenian mining words have also spread to be used by Obradinian and Troiyan miners.