Ruisan Mining Co. Coal Plant Introduction
The Rui San Mining Co. Coal Sorting Plant is an important cultural and historical site along the Youth Mountain Sea Line, located in the "Double Century Core Triangle" of Sandiaoling, Pudan, and Hohong. It is a crucial part of Taiwan's mining culture in the northern region. The miners who came to Hohong in the past left behind many touching stories, which are etched in the remnants of the coal sorting plant, making Hohong a settlement full of narratives. "Efforts in production, safety first." The Hohong area began large-scale mining operations during the early Japanese colonial period, initially led by the Mitsui conglomerate. After the Hohong Station opened in 1920, a coal sorting plant was built to the east of the station to accelerate coal production efficiency, responsible for sorting different grades of coal. The mines in the Hohong area were later leased by Li Jianxing, who established the Rui San Mining Company. At its peak, over 500 miners worked daily in the mines, making it the largest coal mining company in Taiwan, and it was regarded as a locomotive driving Taiwan's economic takeoff. Restoring the Glory of Mining. The Rui San Mining Co. Coal Sorting Plant ceased operations in 1990. After more than 20 years of weathering and gradual collapse, the New Taipei City Government collaborated with the Ministry of Culture to initiate restoration work. Utilizing the superb skills of master carpenters and integrating modern techniques, they restored the dilapidated ruins with the spirit of "restoring the old as the old." The project was completed after three years, bringing back the former glory of the coal sorting plant. The internal planning includes a mining cultural and historical exhibition, allowing visitors to view the historical memories of miners in the Hohong area from various perspectives. It also incorporates multimedia displays and interactive sound and light technology to provide a more engaging and relatable experience of Taiwan's mining culture.
