Temporalities, time and the everyday: new production technologies as markers of change in an Estonian mine

Abstract

This paper explores the relationship between men and mining technology in an Estonian oil-shale mine. It traces the linear time of socialism and postsocialism, arguing that for Estonian miners, the end of socialism might not have been as radical of a change as changing the mining technology in early 2000s. The introduction of the new technology changed the nature and perception of miners’ work, as well as the opportunities of controlling the everyday tempo of work. Furthermore, the introduction of new technology had implications to the job security and health of miners.