Toby Smith

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BOXING, CHINA - NOVEMBER 11, 2010

Stacks of bailed waste paper are stock-piled outside a paper-mill.

BOXING, CHINA - NOVEMBER 12, 2010

An industrial scale cotton-field, ripe for harvest, is lit by the morning light.

BOXING, CHINA - NOVEMBER 12, 2010

A cotton-picker works the industrial scale cotton plantations. The cotton bud, must be picked and seperated from the dry husk.

BOXING, CHINA - NOVEMBER 12, 2010

A small-scale cotton-mill stockpiles the raw buds before they are seperated into the cotton fibres and the internal seed.

BOXING, CHINA - NOVEMBER 12, 2010

A high-tech papermill using both recycled pulp and steam from a neighbouring Biofuel power station.

BOXING, CHINA - NOVEMBER 12, 2010

A motorbike 3-wheeler carries harvested cotton stalks for stock-piling and eventual sales. The cotton-stalks are dried and sold for Biofuel and electricity production. This is a new market for an otherwise unused agricultural waste-product.

BOXING, CHINA - NOVEMBER 12, 2010

Bio-fuel consisting of cotton-husks and tree foliage is loaded into a furnace. The furnace is part of a modern Biofuel power station generating over 10MW of electricity and steam to local industry. This is a new market for an otherwise unused agricultural waste-product.

BOXING, CHINA - NOVEMBER 13, 2010

An engineer performs a manual inspection of a modern Biofuel Power Station. Burning cotton husks this experimental station has created a new market and usage for an otherwise wasted agricultural bi-product.

BOXING, CHINA - NOVEMBER 13, 2010

An engineer performs a manual inspection of a modern Biofuel Power Station. Burning cotton husks this experimental station has created a new market and usage for an otherwise wasted agricultural bi-product.

BOXING, CHINA - NOVEMBER 13, 2010

An oil and gas refinery with a neighbouring biofuel power station. Part of the refineries energy needs are supplied as heat and steam from the biofuel combustion.

BOXING, CHINA - NOVEMBER 13, 2010

An oil and gas refinery with a neighbouring biofuel power station. Part of the refineries energy needs are supplied as heat and steam from the biofuel combustion.

YELLOW RIVER ESTUARY, CHINA - NOVEMBER 14, 2010

A jack pump extracts oil around the clock from deep within the sandy top-soil. Despite the area being assigned protected status their is presence of substansial construction and industry including oil extraction.

YELLOW RIVER ESTUARY, CHINA - NOVEMBER 14, 2010

Telecommunications relay and oil storage facility within the expansive Yellow River estuary. Despite the area being assigned protected status their is presence of substansial construction and industry including oil extraction.

ZIBO, CHINA - NOVEMBER 14, 2010

Rapid expansion of residential real-estate and the need for energy and minerals lie side-by-side.

QI'AN, CHINA - NOVEMBER 16, 2010

An isolated shepherd's hut on the frozen plains of Inner Mongolia.

QI'AN, CHINA - NOVEMBER 16, 2010

2 Mongolian shepherd's stroll through a Mongolian style village in Xi'an.

QI'AN, CHINA - NOVEMBER 16, 2010

A jack-pump extracts a water and oil mixture from the Inner Mongolian Oil Field.

QI'AN, CHINA - NOVEMBER 17, 2010

A wind-farm in Inner Mongolia braves the harsh -20C winters. The project is being expanded rapidly in phases of 33MW or more to avoid the bureaucratic process of national planning. The concrete foundation for the tower must be insulated and kept above 10C during curing to prevent cracking.

QI'AN, CHINA - NOVEMBER 17, 2010

A wind-farm in Inner Mongolia braves the harsh -20C winters. The turbines are manufactured by a Chinese company Goldwind.

QI'AN, CHINA - NOVEMBER 17, 2010

A view from the top of a wind-turbine nacelle on wind-farm in Inner Mongolia amidst the harsh -20C winters. The turbines are manufactured by a Chinese company Goldwind.

QI'AN, CHINA - NOVEMBER 17, 2010

The control room of a large wind-farm in Inner Mongolia. Using Chinese automation equipment the engineers can monitor and plan maintainance activities centrally.

QI'AN, CHINA - NOVEMBER 17, 2010

The control room of a large wind-farm in Inner Mongolia. Using Chinese automation equipment the engineers can monitor and plan maintainance activities centrally.

QI'AN GRASS PLANES, CHINA - NOVEMBER 19, 2010

Top quality pasture and animal feed is loaded onto truck for trade with South Korea.

QI"AN VILLAGE, CHINA - NOVEMBER 18, 2010

Millet seed and other pulses are shelled before storage.

QI'AN, CHINA - NOVEMBER 18, 2010

A state owned grain stockpile is filled by private farmers before the start of the harsh winter.

FANGCHENGANG, CHINA - NOVEMBER 22, 2010

High quality coal from Indonesia is unloaded at a custom built mineral jetty. The coal is for combustion in a super-critical coal power station. The high technology, more efficient system requires better quality coal to maintain the high temperature and pressures.

FANGCHENGANG, CHINA - NOVEMBER 22, 2010

High quality coal from Indonesia is stockpiled on a coal-field holding a 30-day reserve. The coal is for combustion in a super-critical coal power station. The high technology, more efficient system requires better quality coal to maintain the high temperature and pressures.

FANGCHENGANG, CHINA - NOVEMBER 22, 2010

High quality coal from Indonesia is stockpiled on a coal-field holding a 30-day reserve. The coal is for combustion in a super-critical coal power station. The high technology, more efficient system requires better quality coal to maintain the high temperature and pressures.

FANGCHENGANG, CHINA - NOVEMBER 22, 2010

High-pressure steam pipes surround the main boiler of a super-critical coal power station. The high technology, more efficient system requires better quality coal to maintain the high temperature and pressures.

FANGCHENGANG, CHINA - NOVEMBER 24, 2010

An engineer performs a manual inspection of high pressure steam pipes within a coal super-critical power station. The high technology, more efficient system requires better quality coal from Indonesia to maintain the high temperature and pressures.

FANGCHENGANG, CHINA - NOVEMBER 24, 2010

Engineers walk between boilers at a coal super-criyical power station. The high technology, more efficient system requires better quality coal from Indonesia to maintain the high temperature and pressures.

FANGCHENGANG PORT, CHINA - NOVEMBER 25, 2010

Fertiliser is stockpiled within the powder depot.

JIANGBIAN, CHINA - NOVEMBER 27, 2010

An ancient cable suspension bridge provides an essential life-line across the jalong river for light-vehicle traffic, pedestrians and building materials.

JIANGBIAN, CHINA - NOVEMBER 27, 2010

An ancient cable suspension bridge provides an essential life-line across the jalong river for light-vehicle traffic, pedestrians and building materials.

JIANGBIAN, CHINA - NOVEMBER 28, 2010

A Chinese built over 50- years previous hghlights the hydro potential of the river.

JIANGBIAN, CHINA - NOVEMBER 28, 2010

A spray-concrete lined tunnel reinforced with steel is the main conduit of water towards 3 hydro turbines. This tunnel is one of 3 12km excavations to redirect the Jalong river from its natural course through hydro turbines.

JIANGBIAN, CHINA - NOVEMBER 29, 2010

A cathedral like turbine hall holds 3 massive 110MW hydro sets. Over 4 km into the mountain side this bedrock lined tunnel receives water from an 8km tunnel tapping into the Jalong river. Due to the instability of the river course all engineering must be constructed within the mountain side.

JIANGBIAN , CHINA - DECEMBER 01, 2010

A Chinese worker looks out of a ventilation tunnel across the Jalong river. This small vent is over 800m above the river's surface and is the start of over 32 km of tunnels.

JIANGBIAN, CHINA - NOVEMBER 30, 2010

A dam under construction begins to rediret the flow of the Jalong river into underground tunnels for power generation.

JIANGBIAN , CHINA - DECEMBER 01, 2010

The Jalong River is under assault by over 6 hydro developments in less than 100km. Some require incredible civil engineering works with a complete reshaping of the landscape.

JIANGBIAN, CHINA - DECEMBER 1, 2010

A brand new Chinese State substation, designed to cope with the increased electricty production by hydro in the areas along the Jalong river.

JIANGBIAN , CHINA - DECEMBER 01, 2010

The Jalong River is under assault by over 6 hydro developments in less than 100km. Some require incredible civil engineering works with a complete reshaping of the landscape.

XIAN, CHINA - DECEMBER 10, 2010

To simultaneously alleviate air-polution and pressure upon petrol resources many local taxis and smaller cars are converted to run on natural gas.

XIAN, CHINA - DECEMBER 11, 2010

Pollution and litter clog a water-course on the outskirts of Xian city.

XIAN, CHINA - DECEMBER 11, 2010

Xian is experiencing rapid growth in residential real estate. Subsidised by the local government the schemes enable the housing of rural migrants and the movement to consumerism to encourage GDP growth.

XIAN, CHINA - DECEMBER 11, 2010

Xian is experiencing rapid growth in residential real estate. Subsidised by the local government the schemes enable the housing of rural migrants and the movement to consumerism to encourage GDP growth.

GOBI DESERT, CHINA - DECEMBER 13, 2010

Over 5,000 wind-turbines pepper a huge area across Gansu province. Already boasting an online capacity of 8,000 MW the area's development shows no sign of slowing.

GOBI DESERT, CHINA - DECEMBER 13, 2010

Over 5,000 wind-turbines pepper a huge area across Gansu province. Already boasting an online capacity of 8,000 MW the area's development shows no sign of slowing.

GANSU PROVINCE, CHINA - DECEMBER 14, 2010

China is developing massive solar resources in the Gobi desert. 40 MW is already online with that capacity expected to grow exponentially with a planned installation total of 12GW within 15 years.

GANSU PROVINCE, CHINA - DECEMBER 14, 2010

China is developing massive solar resources in the Gobi desert. 40 MW is already online with that capacity expected to grow exponentially with a planned installation total of 12GW within 15 years.

GOBI DESERT, CHINA - DECEMBER 15, 2010

With icy roads and a heavy reliance on road freight accidents are common place.

GOBI DESERT, CHINA - DECEMBER 15, 2010

With icy roads and a heavy reliance on road freight accidents are common place.

JIUQUAN, CHINA - DECEMBER 15, 2010

Wind turbine blades lie stickpiled awaiting transport across the province. To supoort this massive program of renewable energy growth local government has developed huge renewable energy business parks. This park in Jiuquan houses 4 wind-turbine makers, employing 20,000 and producing 10,000 blades per annum.

JIUQUAN, CHINA - DECEMBER 15, 2010

Wind turbine blades lie stickpiled awaiting transport across the province. To supoort this massive program of renewable energy growth local government has developed huge renewable energy business parks. This park in Jiuquan houses 4 wind-turbine makers, employing 20,000 and producing 10,000 blades per annum.

BAOTAO, CHINA – DECEMBER 17, 2010

Workers monitor the volatile mixture of lime with molten iron at one of the blast furnaces within the Baogang Steel Company.

BAOTAO, CHINA – DECEMBER 17, 2010

Company logo, depicting 10 Mongolian stallions, stands at the entrance of the Baogang Steel Company. The coal fired combined heart and energy system is visible in the background.

BAOTAO, CHINA - DECEMBER 17, 2010

An old railway wagon provides a respite from the freezing temperature for this security guard.

BAOTAO, CHINA – DECEMBER 18, 2010

Labourers use explosives and boats to reposition a temporary bridge crossing the yellow river. The crossing is close to the intake to the Baogang Iron and Steel plant.

ORDOS, CHINA - DECEMBER 19, 2010

As China is moving towards cleaner more efficient burning of coal within super-critical power stations. However the coal first needs to be washed within huge plants being built in Inner Mongolia. These plants are environmentally costly from an energy and water perspective casting major doubt on the total advantages.

ORDOS, CHINA - DECEMBER 19, 2010

As China's thirst for coal continues to grow deeper and deeper seams are being explored. This modern mine operated by Shenhua has a modern hydraulic coal face operated by a smaller work-force.

ORDOS, CHINA - DECEMBER 19, 2010

As China's thirst for coal continues to grow deeper and deeper seams are being explored. This modern mine operated by Shenhua has a modern hydraulic coal face operated by a smaller work-force.

ORDOS, CHINA - DECEMBER 19, 2010

As China's thirst for coal continues to grow deeper and deeper seams are being explored. This modern mine operated by Shenhua has a modern hydraulic coal face operated by a smaller work-force.

ORDOS, CHINA - DECEMBER 19, 2010

As China's thirst for hydrocarbons continues to grow modern technology is employed in this industrial scale experimental plant converting coal to oil and gas. Initially made viable by the high cost of oil, despite being incredibly inefficient and polluting, the plant may close due to the scarcity of water.

BAOTAO, CHINA – DECEMBER 20, 2010

Coal trucks grind down-hill from an open-cast coal mine to the main-highway. Congestion at the highway, weighing points and intersections often sees the vehicles jammed for days as China attempts to redistrubute its coal.

ORDOS, CHINA - DECEMBER 20, 2010

As China's thirst for coal continues to grow this open cast coal mine is being blasted, excavated and extracted by truck at break-neck speed. The mine is deep in the mountains of Inner Mongolia and is exploited by a number of firms simultaneously with cash being paid by the tonne at the weighbridge.

BAOTAO, CHINA – DECEMBER 20, 2010

Coal trucks grind down-hill from an open-cast coal mine to the main-highway. Congestion at the highway, weighing points and intersections often sees the vehicles jammed for days as China attempts to redistrubute its coal.

BAOTAO, CHINA – DECEMBER 18, 2010

A new expressway crosses the Yellow River.

BAOTAO, CHINA – DECEMBER 17, 2010

Periodic table showing the location of Rare Earth minerals.

BAOTAO, CHINA – DECEMBER 17, 2010

A diaorama depicting the massive iron, steel ad rare-earth complex of Baogang Steel Works Ltd fills the foyer.

BAYAN OBO, CHINA – DECEMBER 21, 2010

The highly restricted Bayan Obo Rare Earth mine.

BAYAN OBO, CHINA – DECEMBER 21, 2010

The highly restricted Bayan Obo Rare Earth mine.

BAYAN OBO, CHINA – DECEMBER 21, 2010

The highly restricted Bayan Obo Rare Earth mine.

BAYAN OBO DISTRICT, CHINA – DECEMBER 21, 2010

The highly toxic and radioactive tailings of a rare earth refinery.

BAYAN OBO DISTRICT, CHINA – DECEMBER 21, 2010

The massive centrifuges and grinding of a stage 1 rare earth refinery.

BAYAN OBO DISTRICT, CHINA – DECEMBER 21, 2010

A worker steams cyrstals from an industrial scale precipitator in a stage 1 rare earth refinery. The cyrstals contain an elevated concentration of rare earth oxides that are then further refined before a usable concentration is acheived.

BAYAN OBO DISTRICT, CHINA – DECEMBER 21, 2010

A worker steams cyrstals from an industrial scale precipitator in a stage 1 rare earth refinery. The cyrstals contain an elevated concentration of rare earth oxides that are then further refined before a usable concentration is acheived.

YANGZHOU, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 25 2010

Restaurant and dining area in the new Yangzhou town centre.

YANGZHOU, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 25 2010

Restaurant and dining area in the new Yangzhou town centre.

YANGZHOU, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 25 2010

Traditional Chinese pagoda restaurant.

YANGZHOU, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 24, 2010

Highly decorated and illuminated floats parade down the Great Canal of Yangzhou. The activity celebrates the festival of light in October.

YANGZHOU, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 24, 2010

Highly decorated and illuminated floats parade down the Great Canal of Yangzhou. The activity celebrates the festival of light in October.

YANGZHOU, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 24, 2010

Highly decorated and illuminated floats parade down the Great Canal of Yangzhou. The activity celebrates the festival of light in October.

YANGZHOU, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 24, 2010

Highly decorated and illuminated floats parade down the Great Canal of Yangzhou. The activity celebrates the festival of light in October.

YANGZHOU, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 26, 2010

Modern shopping mall designed and built using Western design.