Sometimes, people just yearn for the mines. One such individual, a woman named Kala, has been digging a "suburban mine" in the form of a large tunnel underneath her house, and documenting the process over the past year on TikTok. Her project has recently come under closer scrutiny, however, with the authorities apparently investigating the permitless tunnel and people online discussing the ethics and reasoning behind the excavation. Let's dig deeper into the story of TikTok's Tunnel Lady and explain what's happening.

Who Is The TikTok Tunnel Girl / Lady?

Kala is a TikTok user with over half a million followers as of early January 2024, who began posting about a long-term "suburban mine" project in the fall of 2022. To excavate her mine, she spent her own money and learned a variety of skills including electrical wiring, excavation, cement-pouring, and construction. Kala claims to be an engineer by trade.

https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7157790020517170478

https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/ 7212423268320464171

There have been a variety of problems at the mine, including flooding, but Kala has persisted over many months in excavating. She has extracted tons of "building stones" from the mine with the goal of constructing a castle, or at least making a facade for her home out of the stones so it can look like a castle.

Why Is She Digging This Tunnel?

She's digging it because she can. Nobody is paying her, as she makes clear in many videos. She's doing it just for the joy of doing it, and to excavate the stones required for her castle. Many people on TikTok are baffled and posting about the possible reasons for such an activity.

https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7304312493785255214

What Do People Say About The Tunnel?

Kala's project reminds many people of past online builders and excavators, such as Eel Pit Guy, who gained a following for ambitious construction projects he posted about online. Some are opposed to the tunnel, like investigative journalist Aura Bogado, who points out possible dangers for Kala's neighbors, many of whom are reportedly recent immigrants to the United States.

https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7318428922842991914

What Is The Current Status Of The Suburban Mine?

According to a recent TikTok posted by Kala, the mine has been shut down by the authorities because somebody reported it. She conducted her excavation without permits or official approval, but she said she's hoping to get the paperwork sorted so her operation can continue.

https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7317787448350706987

---

For the full history of the Tunnel Lady saga, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry for more information.