Rui San Mining Coal Plant Introduction
The Ruishan Mining Co. Coal Preparation Plant is an important cultural and historical site along the Youth Mountain-Sea Line, located within the "Double Century Core Triangle" of Sandiaoling, Mudan, and Hohuang. It is a crucial part of the mining culture in northern Taiwan. Many touching stories left by miners who came to Hohuang in the past are engraved in the remnants of the coal preparation plant, making Hohuang a settlement full of stories. "Efforts in production, safety first" – the large-scale mining operations in the Hohuang area began during the early Japanese colonial period, initially led by the Japanese Mitsui conglomerate. After the Hohuang Station opened in 1920, in order to accelerate coal production efficiency, a coal preparation plant was built to the east of the station, responsible for sorting and washing different grades of coal. The mines in Hohuang were later leased by Li Jianxing, who established "Ruishan Mining Company." At its peak, more than 500 miners worked in the pits daily, making it the largest coal mining company in Taiwan, and a key driver of Taiwan's economic growth. Restoring the Mining Glory – The Ruishan Mining Co. Coal Preparation Plant ceased operations in 1990, and after over 20 years of weathering and gradual collapse, the New Taipei City Government collaborated with the Ministry of Culture to initiate restoration work. Using the superb craftsmanship of master carpenters combined with modern techniques, the renovation aimed to preserve the original structure of the dilapidated site. The project took three years to complete, restoring the former glory of the coal preparation plant. The interior is planned to showcase mining culture and history, allowing visitors to explore the historical memories of miners in the Hohuang area through various themes and perspectives, incorporating multimedia presentations and interactive sound and light technology to offer a more engaging and relatable experience of the coal mining industry's history.
