Kamaishi Mine was one of largest iron and copper ore mine, and supplied ore to Nippon Steel's Kamaishi Works. It is located in Iwate prefecture, northeast region of Japan. Total length of underground roadway is more than 140 km. They ceased the ore mining in 1993. Since then, the mine continues their business in mineral water bottling, white limestone mining and consigned underground scientific research.
There was huge network of underground tramways in the mine. The gauge of
the Kamaishi mining tramway system is 30 inch (762mm), while usual mining
operation uses 24 inch or less gauge. They used to operate 15 ton electric
locomotives with overhead catenary system, but later it is replaced by
battery operated systems. Today underground tramways are still used for
undergoing works, such as shipping mineral waters, limestones, and carrying
research equipment and crews. Tramways are operated in several layers,
which are connected by 800 m long cable tram system at an incline of 26.5
degrees,
The Mine is usually not open to the public. I had a chance to visit the mine when I joined two-day Underground Room Acoustics Conference in July 1998. In second day, we had a chance to experience the musical performance underground in mine. Abandoned mining caves are interesting subject for the research of room acoustics. Also, It is hoped that underground concert hall is one of application to vitalize unused mines. At Kamaishi mine, two caves are used for acoustic experiments. One is Granite Hall in upper level, and another is Marble Hall in lower level. We visited both halls by entering roadway at upper 550ML entrance and moving by quarrymen's coach and cable trams.
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Photo: July 17, 1998
Page: August 1, 1998.
by Nobuo Koizumi.