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.
History The Ma On Shan Iron Mine opened in 1906 as an opencast site run by the Hong Kong Iron Mining Co. Ltd., which was owned by Sir Paul Chater.Antiquities Advisory Board. Historic Building Appraisal: Mineral Preparation Plant, Ma On Shan Iron Mine In 1949, the mine was taken over by the Mutual Mining and Trade Company, which extended it underground in 1953. By 1959, mining had moved entirely underground. The mine ceased operation in 1976.Antiquities Advisory Board. Historic Building Appraisal: Lutheran Yan Kwong Church, Ma On Shan Tsuen Road The workforce of 400 was laid off. The government mining lease ended in 1981 and the mine closed subsequently.CEDD: Economic Geology - Minerals and Mining in Hong Kong
Mine operators Historical operators of the mine: 1906-1929: The Hong Kong Iron Mining Co. Ltd. () 1931-1940: New Territories Iron Company 1940-1941: South China Iron Smelters Co. Ltd () 1942-1945: (Japanese occupation of Hong Kong) 1945-1948: Possibly small scale excavation by South China Iron Smelters Co. Ltd 1949-1976: Mutual Trust Co. Ltd () 1953-1976: Joint venture between Mutual Trust Co. Ltd and Nittetsu Mining Company (Japan) ()
Present and future It has been suggested that the Ma On Shan Iron Mine could be repurposed as a storage location for compressed-air energy storage (CAES).
Several sets of structures of the Ma On Shan Iron Mine were listed as historic monuments in April 2016: Exterior walls of 240 ML and 110 ML of Ma On Shan Iron Mine (Grade 2), Mineral Preparation Plant of Ma On Shan Iron Mine (Grade 3), Site Structures at Mining Settlement of Ma On Shan Iron Mine (Grade 3).Antiquities Advisory Board. List of new items for grading assessment with assessment results
See also Mining in Hong Kong Geology of Hong Kong Ma On Shan (peak) Ma On Shan Country Park, surrounding the mine area
References
Further reading
External links
Website dedicated to Ma On Shan Iron Mine Exterior walls of 240 ML and 110 ML, Ma On Shan Iron Mine: Historic Appraisal Pictures Mineral Preparation Plant, Ma On Shan Iron Mine: Historic Appraisal Pictures Site Structures at Mining Settlement, Ma On Shan Iron Mine: Historic Appraisal Pictures Industrial History of Hong Kong entries: Information from The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hong Kong: Gwulo.com entry: Zolimag entry: Pictures: