Ben Shan Five Pits Introduction
Ben Shan Five Mines, as the name suggests, is one of the nine tunnels from the prosperous period of Ben Shan mining. It is located on the hillside of Ben Shan at an elevation of about 295 meters. After mining activities ceased in Jinguashi in 1972 (the 61st year of the Republic of China), the Five Mines faced the fate of being closed in 1978 (the 67th year of the Republic of China). The Five Mines are the most well-preserved of the nine tunnels in Ben Shan, retaining the air compressors, mining cars, washrooms, and ore transport gondolas used during the gold mining era, serving as a testament to a century of mining history in Jinguashi. In 2004 (the 93rd year of the Republic of China), the Gold Ecological Park implemented plans for visitors to experience the working conditions of miners in the dark tunnels. Therefore, at Ben Shan Five Mines, a new tunnel approximately 110 meters long was excavated above the original tunnel and connected to it. This work extended the original 70-meter entrance of the Five Mines to 180 meters, resulting in the Ben Shan Five Mines Experience Hall, where visitors can briefly experience the harsh working conditions faced by miners. Upon entering the interior of Ben Shan Five Mines, visitors can observe the walls supported by "cow strips" made of acacia wood, echoing the sound of flowing water, which immediately conveys the dampness of the mine. The yellow-toned lighting on the walls enhances the rough surfaces to a golden hue. Within the tunnel, at each segment, visitors can glimpse different stages of the miners' work, including "setting up cow strips," "drilling," "blasting," and "transporting ore," all silently taking place. The tour guide, Ah Jin Bo, leads visitors deeper into the mine, engaging in conversations with newcomers while detailing every step of the gold mining process as if relaying cherished memories. His voice resonates in the tunnel, igniting visitors' curiosity to explore further.
