Jottings from the Granite Studio

Illegal iron ore mining is damaging the eastern Qing tombs. Actually mining is too delicate a word for the process—basically people are blowing up huge chunks of land and then looking to see if there any cool rocks that look like iron underneath.

According to the IHT, “China’s heritage protection laws ban explosions, mining and drilling near protected areas, but local officials eager for tax revenue or bribes often turn a blind eye when the laws are broken.”

I’m shocked, shocked I say, to find gambling in this establishment.