The Glory Age of Mining Industry in Jinguashi & Jiufen

Time: 7 March 2014 @ 9 am – 29 June 2014 @ 5 pm

Venue: Jinshui Special Exhibition Hall and Gold Refining Building 2F Special Exhibition Room in Gold Museum

Once upon a time, Taiwan and Japan were once considered “Treasure Island” in Oriental Mythology in the eyes of the Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish and Dutch, of which were being attracted to Taiwan for gold exploration and Jiufen-Jinguashi area was among few of regions in Taiwan that relied on gold production. In 1890, gold dust was firstly discovered in Keelung River, and it became the origin of gold mining industry in Jiufen-Jinguashi area. Nevertheless, not until the latest mining technology and machinery were implemented during Japanese Ruled Period was the large-scale excavation started, which had been lasting for almost half of a century (1896-1945), giving Jiufen-Jinguashi area its glory age and the name of “Gold Capital in Asia” at that period of time. As the time goes by, the mining industry gradually declining; however, its industrial relics was designated as one of the potential world heritage sites in Taiwan by the Ministry of Culture, this shows the value and significance of the area.

The development of Jiufen-Jinguashi area was closely related to gold, and the area had the major proportion of the total gold production in the gold mining industry of Taiwan. However, even though Jiufen and Jinguashi were both relied on gold production and showed extraordinary results during Japanese Ruled Period, the two areas have different cultures and landscapes. This exhibition brings you to the cultures and natural environment of Jinguashi and Jiufen, as well as their connections and differences in mining development. The visitors can gain a deeper insight into the value and significance of the areas, which are the potential world heritages sites in Taiwan.