Sado Mine located in Niigata Prefecture, damaged by falling rocks, etc.
The strong earthquake that occurred on Japan’s Noto Peninsula on New Year’s Day also damaged the Sado Mine, which the Japanese government is seeking to register as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, the authorities stated that there would be no impact on registration.
Sankei Shimbun on the 5th. According to Niigata Ilbo, it was confirmed that the Sado Mine located in Sado City, Nikata Prefecture suffered damage, including falling rocks, due to a 7.6 magnitude earthquake that occurred on the Noto Peninsula on the 1st.
Sado City is located in the northeast of the Noto Peninsula. As of the 3rd, 26 people were confirmed injured in Niigata Prefecture due to this earthquake. There are no deaths.
Sado Mine consists of two mine ruins, ‘Aikawa Tsurushi Gold and Silver Mine’ and ‘Nishi Mikawa Gold and Silver Mine.’ They are all in Sado City.
According to data from Sado City, there was damage from falling rocks on some slopes of Aikawa Tsuru Gold and Silver Mountain due to this strong earthquake. The roadside slope of Nishimikawa Gold Mine Mountain partially collapsed.
In relation to this, Sado City stated, “There is no impact on the (UNESCO) registration.”
Due to this earthquake, shaking of magnitude 5 was observed in Sado City.
The Japan Meteorological Agency divides earthquake shaking into 10 levels: intensity 0, intensity 1, intensity 2, intensity 3, intensity 4, intensity 5, intensity 5, intensity 6, intensity 6, and intensity 7. Intensity level 0 is the lowest level.
A tremor of intensity level 5 is enough to make it difficult to walk without holding on to something. Dishes, books, etc. from tables and desks often fall, and there is a risk that unsecured furniture may topple over.
Sado City said that aftershocks were continuing and urged caution not to approach the Sado Mine site.
Sado Mine is the site of forced labor for Koreans during the Japanese colonial period. It has been a famous gold mine since the Edo period (1603-1868), and was used to mine war materials such as copper and iron during the Pacific War.
Accordingly, Japan limits the period for registering Sado Mine to the Edo period. It’s a trick.
The Japanese government submitted a formal recommendation for Sado Mine to UNESCO in January last year. The goal is to be registered as a World Cultural Heritage site in 2024.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.