Photographer Louie Palu chronicles Canada's trade in a notorious mineral
Piles of asbestos tailings in Thetford Mines often date back a century or more.Louie Palu/The Globe and Mail
An open-pit mine owned by LAB Chrysotile.Louie Palu/The Globe and Mail
Tailings piles are barren of vegetation, even after many years.Louie Palu/The Globe and Mail
The town of Black Lake huddles in the space not used by mines.Louie Palu/The Globe and Mail
Downtown Thetford Mines on a rainy September night.Louie Palu/The Globe and Mail
Retired miner Ritchie Harnish holds a piece of asbestos-bearing rock.Louie Palu/The Globe and Mail