Sado Kinzan Gold Mine

The Sado Kinzan Gold Mine, located on Japan’s Sado Island, was a significant gold and silver mine operational from the late 19th century until its closure in 1974. It played a crucial role in Japan’s economic development, extracting valuable metals through underground tunneling and processing. The mine's geology involved ore deposits rich in gold and silver, which were mined using traditional and mechanized methods. Today, the site is a UNESCO World Heritage site and open to visitors, offering insight into Japan’s mining history and industrial heritage.