History and Current Status of the Recycled Mine Park Project - 1995 to 2024

History and Current Status of the Recycled Mine Park Project - 1995 to 2024
December 2024

Start of the Plan and Foundation Building in 1995
In 1995, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) (now the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) formulated the "Recycle Mine Park Plan" for the reuse of abandoned mines. The plan aimed to utilize existing facilities and technologies of the mining industry for waste disposal and resource recycling. In particular, at the Mochikoshi Mine in Izu-Yugashima-cho, Shizuoka Prefecture, Chugai Mining Co. recovered silver from waste film and photographic waste, producing approximately 100 kilograms of gold (99.999%) and 15 tons of silver (99.99%) per month. In addition, efforts were made to recover rare metals from shredder dust and electronic device waste (e-waste). This contributed to the revitalization of the local economy and job creation.

Expansion in the 2000s and Response to Disaster Waste
In the 2000s, 36 mining facilities across Japan adopted the plan, with an annual waste processing capacity of approximately 9.8 million tons. Efficient recovery of rare metals such as lithium, cobalt, and tantalum from e-waste also progressed. In addition, policy reinforcement through the Basic Law for Establishing a Recycling-based Society, which came into effect in 2001, has encouraged progress in recycling technology.

Deepening in the 2010s and the Great East Japan Earthquake
During the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011, the former Matsuo Mine in Iwate Prefecture and the former Hosokura Mine in Miyagi Prefecture served as centers for processing disaster waste. At these mining facilities, rubble and metal waste were sorted and iron and aluminum were efficiently recycled. This helped to revitalize the region. In addition, as lithium-ion batteries became more popular, the mining industry developed lithium compounds and nickel recovery lines to meet the increasing demand for electric vehicles (EVs).

Progress in the 2020s and Contribution to a Sustainable Society
In the 2020s, Chugai Mining further strengthened its recycling business based at the Mochikoshi Mine in Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture. In addition to producing approximately 100 kilograms of gold and 15 tons of silver per month from e-waste, the company accelerated the recovery of rare metals such as lithium and cobalt. The company also contributes to both the local environment and economy by accepting and processing disaster waste.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism has also formulated the "Construction Recycling Promotion Plan 2020" to raise the recycling rate of construction waste to 97%, and other measures to promote recycling are underway nationwide. These efforts, in conjunction with the Recycle Mine Park Plan, are playing an important role in building a sustainable resource-recycling society.

Significance of the Plan and Future Prospects
The Recycle Mine Park Plan is highly regarded as a pioneering policy that aims to both reduce environmental impact and promote resource recycling. Efforts to reuse abandoned mines have produced results in a wide range of areas, including the revitalization of local economies, stabilization of rare metal supplies, and disaster waste treatment. Further development in Japan and abroad is expected in the future.