Natural
Mines d’or de l’île de Sado
Photo : ccfarmer (CC BY 3.0)
Located on Sado Island in Japan, this site encompasses a significant gold mining complex that played an important role in the region's economic development. The mines represent an extensive system of extraction and processing facilities that reflect centuries of mining activity on the island. The geological formations and landscape bear testimony to the scale and methods of historical gold extraction, with visible remains of mining infrastructure integrated into the natural terrain. The site's characteristics include underground passages, ore processing areas, and surface structures that document the technical approaches employed over successive periods of operation. The natural setting of Sado Island, with its distinctive topography and coastal features, provides the geographical context for this industrial heritage. The mines constitute a record of human interaction with the landscape and demonstrate the historical significance of precious metal extraction in Japan.
