Taiwan revives 'black gold' era at restored coal plant
TAIPEI (TVBS News) — New Taipei City unveiled the second phase of restoration at the historic Ruisan Coal Preparation Plant (瑞三鑛業整煤廠) in Houtong (猴硐) on Friday (Oct. 9). The former mining district, which lies about 40 km (25 miles) east of Taipei, reconnects fragmented industrial facilities to recreate the coal processing workflow that powered Taiwan's mining industry in the 1960s and 1970s.
New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony and toured the restored outdoor facilities. The second phase focused on restoring the transport ramp and reconnecting the car tipper (翻車機), railway tracks, and coal hopper car.
"If you don't preserve history now, your descendants won't know what the past means," Hou said. "Without the past, there is no present — let alone a future."
A highlight is the full-scale reconstruction of the car tipper, equipment used to unload coal from mine carts. The team used wooden materials based on historical photographs and consultations with local historians.
The site also features a 35H1000-model coal hopper car transported from Pingtung in partnership with Taiwan Railways Corporation (國營臺灣鐵路). The damaged coal transport ramp was repaired and fitted with new tracks and a visitor observation platform.
The second phase connects with the existing coal preparation plant and Houtong Coal Mine Ecological Park (猴硐煤礦博物園區), creating a continuous "mining landscape experience." Barrier-free ramps and new entrances were added to improve accessibility.
Hou said the Houtong area has attracted approximately 900,000 visitors over the past three to four years. "We have the Houtong Coal Mine Museum, along with our Ruisan Coal Preparation Plant — these two complement each other," he said.
The Houtong district in Ruifang (瑞芳) began large-scale mining operations during the Japanese colonial period (1895 to 1945). At its peak, more than 500 miners entered the tunnels daily, according to the China Times. The plant ceased operations in 1990 and deteriorated over more than 20 years before restoration began.
The first phase of restoration focused on repairing the main building structure, according to the city government. The second phase expanded the scope to connect the industrial landscape.
To mark the opening during the National Day holiday weekend, the site offered food truck discounts and a specialty market from Friday through Sunday (Oct. 9-11). Free guided walking tours led by the New Taipei City Houtong Miners' Cultural and Historical Association (新北市猴硐礦工文史協會) were held on Friday and Sunday.
New Taipei City said it will continue collaborating with the Bureau of Cultural Heritage (文化部文化資產局) and local heritage organizations to preserve mining history. ◼