The mining city of Asbest takes its name from the mineral on which its fortunes depend: asbestos. Asbestos, banned in over 60 countries, causes cancers of the lung, ovaries, and larynx.  The World Health Organization estimates that about 107,000 people die globally every year from exposure to harmful fibres in the workplace.^[1] Despite these cautionary statistics, Russia continues to mine, use, and sell asbestos.  Uralasbest is one of Russia’s largest producers. The company reports annual revenues of $200 million and employs over 6,000 people, one-tenth of the local population.^[2] Indeed, almost every family in Asbest depends on the mine for their livelihood. Regardless of the dangers, the city needs the mine.

[1] King, A. (2017) ‘Asbestos, explained,’ Chemistry World, 25 June 2017. Available at: https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/why-asbestos-is-still-used-around-the-world/3007504.article#/
Accessed: 16 February 2021.

[2] Financial Times (2021). ‘Equities: Uralasbest OAO,’ Financial Times, no date. Available at: https://markets.ft.com/data/equities/tearsheet/profile?s=urag:MCX
Accessed: 16 February 2021.