Mixed Media Drawing
Mixed Media Drawing
MINING HUMAN STORIES
"Mining Human Stories" is a graphic novel project initiated in 2025. Its objective is to visually assess our relationship with the Earth and its mineral resources, through the prism of personal stories and perspectives, in different countries and across several continents.
Mining operations have shaped our society, economy and environment for centuries. Today, the energy transition and our dependence to products and technologies are increasing the pressure to mine for critical metals. The current geopolitical, environmental and climatic crises are overwhelming. Building upon my experience as a geologist, I aim to create visual bridges between readers and a variety of people involved in an industry that is paradoxically poorly understood, and defining our future on this planet. I would like to to focus on people’s stories that may be humorous or tragic, about love, difficult times, or adventures in the field. Ultimately, I am hoping this graphic novel may be a small contribution to a collective understanding of the relationship between humans, the Earth and its resources, so we can move forward as a society despite the many challenges ahead of us.​​
My personal motivation and inspiration for this project are rooted in a deep connection to earth sciences and a strong personal drive to tell stories in the form of comics. For over a decade, I studied and worked as a field geologist, and told stories about the Earth’s past. While I am fascinated by the logistics and technologies behind mineral exploration, many aspects of the mining industry challenge my personal ethics. Over the years, I experienced several breaking points, where I could no longer reconcile my values with some of the financial, environmental, or logistical excesses I would witness on a daily basis. I also learned many lessons of survival, physical abilities and boundaries. Now, these experiences have become stories.
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Some of the leading questions for this project are:
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Why did humanity start mining metals? Why do we keep mining?
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Who are some of the faces of mining today, what’s their story, why do they stay/leave?
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Mining and the current climate/ecological crisis: is sustainable mining a paradox or a reality?
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Mining and capitalism: are they interdependent? Can one exist without the other?
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Mining and colonialism: can we mitigate the systematic negative impact of mining on Indigenous populations all around the world?
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As geologists, can we reconcile our love for science, and a resource industry which often conflicts with our personal values?
​​​As the project evolves, I will be posting updates on my Instagram account (@estherbordetpainting). Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions!
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