In late 2015 two female filmmakers travelled to Tsumeb, Namibia and Krumovgrad, Bulgaria in order to explore the impacts mining has on small communities. We discovered hopes, disappointments, successes and questions about the deeper and longer-term effects. At first glance Tsumeb and Krumovgrad – at either side of the equator and with different cultures – would seem to have very little in common. Just below the surface however, both communities are still coping with a legacy of political and social trauma. Both are outposts of the same Canadian mining company that has received plentiful funding from public sources. Documentary films are never the full story. What people tell you when the camera stops rolling is just as interesting. We met with one Bulgarian woman in a café who told us her story about the town and the imminent gold mine that was neither good nor bad. But when we called the following day to ask if she would contribute to the film, she politely refused. We left each country with the sense that its particular history and collective trauma experienced still muffles dissent. Or perhaps silence is the price to pay for maintaining the company’s support for community programmes. In both Tsumeb and Krumovgrad economic development is needed and welcome. But the answers to some questions remain to be seen. What kind of development is needed? Who benefits most? Who pays the biggest price? And what is the real legacy of this progress? Does the ‘good life’ always need to come with a heavy price? It’s important for us all to keep asking questions so this doesn’t have to be the case. Meghan Horvath. February 2016