100 mine workers at a pit near Cagliari, on the island of Sardinia, have launched a "stay-down strike", barricading themselves in the pit's tunnels.
The strike began on Sunday 26 August. The workers are demanding government action to prevent the closure of the pit, and have also seized 350kg of company-owned explosives.
A meeting of government officials to discuss the future of the mine is due to take place this week. Miners have also said they want the pit to diversify into other forms of less environmentally-damaging production in order to protect jobs and the planet.
The pit has a history of struggle; in 1995, miners began an occupation that lasted over three months.
The 100 miners currently occupying the tunnels represent over one fifth of the mine's total workforce.