History and Current Status of the Mining Industry in Waste Management

History and Current Status of the Mining Industry in Waste Management
In 1995, Chugai Mining started a recycling business to convert waste into resources at the Mochikoshi Mine in Izu-Yugashima-cho, Shizuoka Prefecture. In the 2010s, the company expanded its recovery of lithium compounds and nickel to meet the increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries. The company also contributed to the disposal of rubble from the Great East Japan Earthquake and improved rare metal separation technology, and in the 2020s produced about 100 kilograms of gold and 15 tons of silver per month through e-waste recycling in Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture. The company is playing a central role in sustainable resource recycling by both reducing environmental impact and revitalizing the local economy.