Recycling Mine Bark Project by the Japan Mining Association - June 1995

Recycling Mine Bark Project by the Japan Mining Association - June 1995

**Recycling Mine Bark Project: Revitalizing Regional Mines and Promoting Resource Circulation**

The Japan Mining Association launched the "Recycling Mine Bark Project" in 1995 to efficiently recycle household appliances and industrial waste within Japan. This plan aims to utilize closed mines and surplus infrastructure as recycling centers to carry out low-cost and efficient recycling. Notably, regions such as the Osarizawa Mine in Aomori Prefecture and the Kosaka Mine in Akita Prefecture are being repurposed to promote local economic revitalization alongside environmental protection.

The project involves recovering valuable metals such as copper, aluminum, iron, and gold from discarded household appliances and industrial equipment. Advanced sorting and processing technologies have been introduced, boosting Japan's recycling rate and encouraging the reuse of scarce resources. For example, around 20,000 tons of copper and 10,000 tons of aluminum are recovered annually from used refrigerators, air conditioners, and televisions.

In addition, major companies within the Japan Mining Association, including Mitsui Mining & Smelting and Sumitomo Metal Mining, are actively participating in this project, utilizing their refining technologies to streamline the recycling process. Mitsui Mining & Smelting, for example, processes several thousand tons of waste annually at its recycling facility in Akita Prefecture, focusing on the recovery and reuse of precious metals.

Collaborating with Japan's Ministry of the Environment, the project has expanded nationwide, and efficient waste collection and processing have been promoted in cooperation with local governments. As a result, tens of thousands of tons of industrial waste are recycled annually across Japan, contributing to cost reductions in domestic waste management.

The Recycling Mine Bark Project has garnered international attention as a sustainable resource management model amid concerns about resource depletion, with expectations for future technology transfers abroad.