Taio gold mine

Mine in Hita, Ōita, Ōita Prefecture, Japan
33°08′20″N 130°53′38″E / 33.139°N 130.894°E / 33.139; 130.894ProductionProductsGold, Silver[1]HistoryOpened1896Closed1972

The Taio mine (Japanese:鯛生金山) was the large gold mine in Oita, Japan. At its peak productivity between 1934 and 1938, it produced 2.3 tons of gold per year, being the most productive gold mine of Japan. Tunnels stretch for 500 meters below ground level, and total tunnels length is 110 km, although all tunnels below 4th are flooded. From 1983, the mine has become a museum, with 800-meter tunnel section opened to the visitors.

  • Security check station at the entrance of Taio mine (sculptural composition instead of live men)
    Security check station at the entrance of Taio mine (sculptural composition instead of live men)
  • Rail car (statues instead of actual miners)
    Rail car (statues instead of actual miners)
  • Pumping equipment in the 3rd gallery of Taio mine
    Pumping equipment in the 3rd gallery of Taio mine
  • Entrance gate of the Taio mine
    Entrance gate of the Taio mine
  • Taio mine shopping, Center: (cylindrical building): Taio mine museum
    Taio mine shopping, Center: (cylindrical building): Taio mine museum

References

  1. ^ mindat.org minerals list for Taio mine
  • This article incorporates material from Japanese Wikipedia page 鯛生金山, accessed 23 August 2018
  • [1] – Museum home page

33°08′20″N 130°53′38″E / 33.139°N 130.894°E / 33.139; 130.894