Lead Mine Pass
Lead Mine Pass (Chinese: 鉛礦坳; Jyutping: jyun4 kwong3 aau3) is a mountain pass in the New Territories, Hong Kong. It is near Grassy Hill and two walking trails, MacLehose Trail (Stages 7 & 8) and Wilson Trail (Stage 7) intersect at the pass.[1] The pass lies to the north of Shing Mun Reservoir.
 The signs pointing towards the abandoned Lead Mine Pass. (Image taken in 2021) | |
| Location | |
|---|---|
  Lead Mine Pass | |
| Location | South of New Territories, Hong Kong |
| Coordinates | 22°24′45.09″N 114°9′28.95″E |
| Production | |
| Products | tungsten, lead, zinc, copper |
| History | |
| Discovered | 1935 |
| Opened | 1938 |
| Closed | 1967 |
| Lead Mine Pass | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese | 鉛礦坳 | ||||||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 铅矿坳 | ||||||||||||||||
| Literal meaning | Lead Mine Pass | ||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
History
Mining in Lead Mine Pass
Tungsten ore were discovered in Lead Mine Pass during the time when the Shing Mun Reservoir was being constructed. Mining of tungsten ore began in 1938. However, due to the Korean War, prices of tungsten rose steeply. Leading to an increase of unlicensed mining in the area. These mining activities eventually stopped in 1967, abandoning operations of all the mining facilities.[2]
Other ores, for instance Lead, Zinc and Copper were found in Lead Mine Pass and mined.[2]
Present day
Mining tunnels and facilities can still be found nowadays. They are dangerous to enter as they have not been maintained and has ceased operations.[2]
References
- "Lead Mine Pass Campsite". Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.
- Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (2006-10-17). Central Ridge and West (in English and Chinese). Hong Kong: Cosmos Books Limited. p. 112. ISBN 9882113273.
External links
- Centamap of Lead Mine Pass
- Why "Lead Mine" Pass? at industrialhistoryhk.org