Mining in Hong Kong refers to mining activities in Hong Kong. Despite its small size, Hong Kong has a relatively large number of mineral deposits. Although some have been mined commercially, there are currently no commercial mining operations in Hong Kong. [1]
The four main mines in Hong Kong are the Lin Ma Hang Lead Mine (mainly galena for lead), the Needle Hill Tungsten Mine (Wolframite and Molybdenite), the Ma On Shan Iron Mine (magnetite for iron), and the West Brother Graphite Mine (graphite).
Historical mines in Hong Kong include: (The figures indicate the length of the tunnels)
The largest iron deposit is found at Ma On Shan, where the Ma On Shan Iron Mine was in operation from 1906 to 1976. [1]
Lead was firstly discovered around 1860s in Lin Ma Hang. The first mining company was formed in 1917 and operated for only three years. A 75-year mining lease was issued in 1925. The mine ownership changed in 1932 and again in 1937. At that time, 2.1 kilometres of tunnels had been developed and this was extended by the new owner, but all work was suspended in 1940 due to World War II. Small-scale mining was carried out by the Japanese from 1941-1945, mostly by robbing pillars in the eastern section of the mine, which caused a cave-in. Afterwards, the mine remained abandoned until 1951 when various contractors resumed activities. Labor unrest, strikes, typhoon damage and falling lead price led to the closure of the mine on 30 June 1958 with about 60% of reserves remaining. The mining lease expired in April 1962. [1]
Mui Wo, on Lantau island, is located on Silvermine Bay, so named for the silver mines that were once worked along the Silver River which flows through the village. The nearby Silvermine Cave was mined for galena, a mineral which is mostly lead but contains small amounts of silver, [3] during the second half of the 19th century.
Tungsten deposits were first discovered in 1935 at Needle Hill. A mining license was issued in the same year and the mining development started in 1938 and continued through the Japanese occupation period. Mining activities increased during the Korean War when the price of tungsten rose sharply. By 1967, the tungsten price had declined and the labor cost had risen, prompting the suspension of the mining operation.
Tungsten was discovered in Sha Lo Wan, and its ore was quarried in the area in the 1950s, leading to a population increase, which reached 4,000 in 1971. The population has dropped again since the 1970s. [4]
Under the Mining Ordinance Chapter 285, power to grant mining and prospecting licences is vested in the Commissioner of Mines who is, as of 2020, the Director of Civil Engineering and Development. [5]
Current and former quarries in Hong Kong include:
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), can be divided into three geographical regions: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories. Hong Kong is a coastal city and major port in Southern China, bordering Guangdong Province through the city of Shenzhen to the north and the South China Sea to the east, south, and west. Hong Kong and its 260 nearby islands and peninsulas are located at the mouth of the Pearl River Delta. The area of Hong Kong is distinct from Mainland China, but is considered a part of "Greater China".
Lantau Island is the largest island in Hong Kong, located West of Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula, and is part of the New Territories. Administratively, most of Lantau Island is part of the Islands District of Hong Kong. A small northeastern portion of the island is located in the Tsuen Wan District.
The Islands District is one of the 18 districts of Hong Kong. It is part of the New Territories. It had a population of 185,282 in 2021.
Mui Wo is a rural town on the eastern coast of Lantau Island in Hong Kong. The 2011 Census recorded 5,485 people living in Mui Wo and its environs.
Ma Wan is an island of Hong Kong, located between Lantau Island and Tsing Yi Island, with an area of 0.97 square kilometres. Administratively, it is part of Tsuen Wan District.
Ma On Shan Country Park is a park located in the central neck of the Sai Kung Peninsula in the eastern New Territories of Hong Kong. The park covers an area of 28.8 square kilometres (11.1 sq mi) and links Sai Kung Country Park and Lion Rock Country Park to form an extensive recreation area on the Ma On Shan massif.
A Site of Special Scientific Interest or SSSI is a special area to protect wildlife, habitats and geographic features based on scientific interest in Hong Kong. Scientific interests are special features relating to animal life, plant life, geology and/or geography. After being identified by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, these areas are documented by the Planning Department and added to maps. From 1975 to 2005, 67 locations were designated SSSIs throughout Hong Kong.
Silver Mine Bay Beach or Silvermine Bay Beach is a gazetted beach located facing Silver Mine Bay on Tung Wan Tau Road in Mui Wo, Lantau Island, Hong Kong. The beach has barbecue pits and is managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of the Hong Kong Government. The beach is 210 metres long and is rated as good to fair by the Environmental Protection Department for its water quality in the past twenty years. The beach offers views of Hei Ling Chau.
The geology of Hong Kong is dominated by igneous rocks formed during a major volcanic eruption period in the Mesozoic era. It made up 85% of Hong Kong's land surface and the remaining 15% are mostly sedimentary rocks located in the northeast New Territories. There are also a very small percentage of metamorphic rocks in the New Territories, formed by deformation of pre-existing sedimentary rocks (metamorphism).
The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) is a department of the Hong Kong government that reports to the Development Bureau. Its major services include provision of land and infrastructure, port and marine services, geotechnical services and environment and sustainability services.
Needle Hill or Cham Shan is a mountain in New Territories, Hong Kong. It has an altitude of 532 m. This is a part of a popular hiking route including Grassy Hill and Tai Mo Shan. The mountain got its name due to the resemblance of a needle by its peak.
Tai Mo Shan is the highest peak in Hong Kong, with an elevation of 957 metres (3,140 ft) above the Hong Kong Principal Datum, or around 956 metres (3,136 ft) above mean sea level. It is located at approximately the geographical centre of the New Territories.
Turret Hill, also known as Nui Po Shan, is a peak southeast of Tolo Harbour in the New Territories of Hong Kong. It has a height of 399 metres. The mountain is located in the Sha Tin District.
Ma On Shan Village or Ma On Shan Tsuen is a mining village in the hills of Ma On Shan, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong. The village grew around the activity of the Ma On Shan Iron Mine, which reached its peak during the 1950s-60s and ceased operation in 1976. It had historically two churches, St. Joseph's Church and Lutheran Yan Kwong Church.
The Ma On Shan Iron Mine is a mine in the hills of Ma On Shan, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong, that was operated from 1906 to 1976. The nearby Ma On Shan Village accommodated the miners and their families.
Lo Yan Shan is a mountain on Lantau Island, Hong Kong, with a height of 303 metres (994 ft) above sea level.
Silvermine Bay Ferry Pier or Mui Wo Ferry Pier is a ferry pier located on the waterfront of Silver Mine Bay in Mui Wo Ferry Pier Road, Mui Wo, New Territories, Hong Kong. There are two ferry routes provided in the pier. One is the service between Mui Wo and Central, operated by Sun Ferry. Another one is the "Inter-Island" service among Peng Chau, Lantau Island and Cheung Chau, also operated by the same operator.
Lin Fa Shan is mountain in Hong Kong. With a height of 578 m in Tsuen Wan District, it is situated within Tai Lam Country Park.
