🚨 Post Mining

Today Korean Social News for Beginners | 2025.08.21

0️⃣ Mine Site Regeneration Projects and Regional Economic Transformation

📌 Gangwon Abandoned Mines Begin 'Post Mining' Project...Switching to Energy and Medical Industries

💬 The coal cities of Taebaek and Samcheok in Gangwon Province are transforming into new industrial centers through an economic development project worth 714.3 billion won. With this project passing the preliminary feasibility study, Taebaek will become a carbon-free energy city centered on clean methanol and critical mineral industrial complexes, while Samcheok will transform into an advanced medical city based on heavy ion cancer treatment facilities. This is a notable example of 'post mining' where regions that prospered from coal industry but suffered from mine closures are being reborn as centers of future industries. The support from residents and Korean miners who worked in Germany, along with efforts from local politicians, has led to success, presenting a new model for regional regeneration.

💡 Summary

• Post mining is the concept of transforming abandoned mine sites into new industrial bases.
• Gangwon's Taebaek and Samcheok regions are transforming into energy and medical industry centers with a 700 billion won project.
• It's a regional regeneration strategy covering everything from environmental restoration to new industry development.

1️⃣ Definition

Post mining means a comprehensive concept that gives new economic and social functions to remaining sites and facilities after mines are closed, transforming entire regions into sustainable forms. Rather than simply closing mines and abandoning them, it's an active approach to regenerate abandoned mining areas as centers for future industries.

This is a long-term regional development strategy that includes environmental restoration, industrial heritage preservation, new industry development, and resident settlement support. It's gaining attention as a new solution for abandoned mining areas worldwide that are suffering from coal industry decline, and is being actively promoted in Korea, especially in the Gangwon region.

💡 Why is this important?

• It solves regional economic decline and population outflow caused by mine closures.
• It promotes sustainable development by pursuing environmental restoration and new industry development at the same time.
• It strengthens regional competitiveness by transitioning from coal-dependent economy to future industries.
• It contributes to balanced development by presenting a regeneration model for abandoned mining areas nationwide.

2️⃣ Current Status and Transformation Plans for Gangwon Abandoned Mining Areas

📕 Past and Present of Taebaek and Samcheok Regions

• They were centers of the coal industry in the past. The main history is as follows:

  • During the coal industry's golden age from the 1960s to 1980s, Taebaek and Samcheok were key regions for national energy supply.
  • Many coal mines operated, and miners flocked from across the country, causing a rapid population increase.
  • Korean miners who worked in Germany contributed to regional development based on the skills and experience they gained in Germany.
  • Coal-related industries and commerce developed, and the regional economy prospered greatly.

• They experienced rapid decline after the 1990s. The main changes are as follows:

  • Coal demand sharply decreased due to the energy transition to oil and natural gas.
  • Most coal mines closed, causing mass unemployment and population outflow.
  • Taebaek's population dramatically decreased from 150,000 in the 1980s to the current level of 40,000.
  • Due to commercial district decline and regional economic recession, it was classified as an 'extinction risk area'.
  • Environmental problems from mine damage and aging infrastructure also became serious.

📕 700 Billion Won Economic Development Project Details

• Taebaek will transform into a carbon-free energy city. The main plans are as follows:

  • Build clean methanol production facilities to develop eco-friendly fuel industry.
  • Create critical mineral (lithium, cobalt, etc.) processing and manufacturing industrial complexes.
  • Serve as a hub for the hydrogen economy through hydrogen production and storage facilities.
  • Prepare foundations for renewable energy industry by recycling existing coal-related infrastructure.

• Samcheok will develop into an advanced medical city. The main details are as follows:

  • Introduce heavy ion cancer treatment facilities aiming to become a Northeast Asian medical hub.
  • Create medical device research, development, and production complexes.
  • Develop wellness industry linked to medical tourism.
  • Build a bio-healthcare industry ecosystem to create jobs.
  • Operate medical personnel training programs in connection with Kangwon University Medical School.

💡 Key Features of Post Mining Projects

1. Industrial Transformation: Complete industrial structure change from coal to clean energy and advanced medical care
2. Existing Infrastructure Utilization: Maximum recycling of abandoned mine facilities and transportation networks to reduce costs
3. Environmental Restoration: Simultaneous promotion of mine damage recovery and eco-friendly industry development
4. Resident Participation: Active support and participation from local residents and Korean miners who worked in Germany
5. Long-term Planning: Systematic promotion according to step-by-step roadmap of over 10 years

3️⃣ Expected Effects and Challenges

✅ Regional Economic Revitalization and Job Creation

• Large numbers of new jobs are expected to be created. The main effects are as follows:

  • High-quality professional jobs will increase in the clean energy and medical industry sectors.
  • Plans are being promoted to prioritize hiring local residents during construction and operation phases.
  • Related service industries and tourism will also develop together, creating a virtuous cycle for the regional economy.
  • The regional extinction crisis can be overcome through young population inflow and settlement.

• Regional brand value will greatly improve. The main changes are as follows:

  • Transformation from past 'declining region' image to 'innovation city' image.
  • Domestic and international investment attraction will become active as an advanced industry hub.
  • High possibility of emerging as new destinations for industrial tourism and medical tourism.
  • If established as a success story, it will become a benchmarking target for other abandoned mining areas.

✅ Challenges and Concerns to be Resolved

• Environmental restoration and safety management must come first. The main challenges are as follows:

  • Ground subsidence and mine tunnel safety issues from long-term mining must be thoroughly inspected.
  • Mine damage recovery including heavy metal contamination and acid water discharge must be completed.
  • Plans to minimize environmental impact of new industrial facilities are needed.
  • Long-term environmental monitoring and management systems must be established.

• Industrial competitiveness and sustainability must be secured. The main concerns are as follows:

  • Technical competitiveness in clean energy and medical industries must be continuously maintained.
  • Accessibility and infrastructure shortage problems compared to the metropolitan area must be resolved.
  • Securing professional personnel and building education systems are important challenges.
  • Business sustainability must be proven by securing profitability compared to initial investment.
  • Balance between preserving regional identity and new industries must be found.

4️⃣ Related Term Explanations

🔎 Mine Damage Recovery

• Mine damage recovery is work to restore environmental damage caused by mine development.
  • Mine damage refers to environmental damage such as land excavation, ground subsidence, water pollution, and acid water discharge that occurs during the mineral extraction process. Korea requires mine operators to have mine damage prevention and recovery obligations according to the Mine Damage Prevention Act.
  • Major types of mine damage include: First, geological instability from mine tunnel collapse or ground subsidence. Second, acid water discharge and heavy metal contamination from sulfide mineral oxidation. Third, soil and water pollution from mine tailings and waste rock. Fourth, living environment damage from noise and dust is also included.
  • Recovery methods include mine tunnel filling and ground stabilization, acid water neutralization treatment facility installation, contaminated soil purification and vegetation restoration, waste rock and tailings stabilization. In post mining, efficiently promoting these recovery works in connection with new industrial base creation is key.

🔎 Heavy Ion Treatment

• Heavy ion treatment is a state-of-the-art cancer treatment method using carbon ions.
  • Heavy ion treatment is a radiation therapy method that accelerates carbon ions to 60-80% of light speed and precisely irradiates cancer cells. It's known to have superior treatment effects compared to existing X-rays or protons. Japan and Germany introduced it first and are showing excellent treatment results.
  • The treatment principle uses the 'Bragg peak' phenomenon where heavy ions release maximum energy only when reaching cancer tissue while passing through the body. This allows selective destruction of only cancer cells while minimizing normal tissue damage. It's especially effective for cancers in deep locations that are difficult to operate on or radiation-resistant cancers.
  • Advantages include short treatment period (2-4 weeks), few side effects, and high cure rates. However, facility construction costs are very high (hundreds of billions of won), and specialized personnel and technology are required. The Samcheok heavy ion treatment facility is expected to contribute to attracting domestic and international patients and revitalizing medical tourism as a Northeast Asian medical hub.

🔎 Clean Methanol

• Clean methanol is next-generation fuel produced through eco-friendly processes.
  • Clean methanol refers to methanol produced eco-friendly using renewable energy or carbon dioxide rather than being based on existing fossil fuels. It's one of the key technologies for achieving carbon neutrality, and development and adoption are becoming active worldwide.
  • Production methods include: First, combining hydrogen produced from renewable energy with captured carbon dioxide. Second, bio-methanol produced by gasifying biomass or municipal waste. Third, synthesizing methanol with green hydrogen obtained by electrolyzing water.
  • Application fields are very diverse. It can be used as eco-friendly fuel for ships and automobiles, and also utilized as basic raw material for the chemical industry. It can also serve as a medium for hydrogen storage and transportation, playing an important role in building the hydrogen economy. Taebaek's clean methanol industry is expected to be the core driving force for making Gangwon Province an eco-friendly energy hub.

5️⃣ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What conditions are needed for post mining to succeed?

A: Choosing industries suitable for regional characteristics, sufficient investment, resident participation, and long-term perspective are key.

• Several conditions must be met for post mining success. First, suitable industries that can maximize the use of regional geographical characteristics and existing infrastructure must be chosen. Taebaek's choice of energy industry considering transportation accessibility and existing industrial base is a good example. Second, initial investment scale must be sufficient, and cooperation between government and private sector is needed. Third, active participation and support from local residents must exist. Just as support from Korean miners who worked in Germany played an important role in this project's success, sustainability increases when residents participate with ownership consciousness. Fourth, steady promotion from a 10-20 year long-term perspective without rushing for short-term results is necessary.
• Also, balanced sense to simultaneously promote environmental restoration and new industry development is important, and continuous investment in professional personnel training and technology development is needed.

Q: What are some successful post mining cases from other countries?

A: Germany's Ruhr region, Wales in the UK, and Appalachia in the US show various successful models.

• Various successful post mining cases can be found in countries worldwide. First, Germany's Ruhr region completely transformed from a coal and steel industry center to a culture, education, and high-tech hub. The Zollverein coal mine in Essen became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a famous industrial tourism destination, while simultaneously developing into a knowledge industry complex concentrated with universities and research institutes. Second, Wales in the UK converted abandoned coal mines into renewable energy industry bases. They created wind and solar power complexes and established energy storage technology development centers. Third, the Appalachian region in the US is utilizing abandoned coal mines as data centers and logistics hubs.
• The common point of these success cases is creatively recycling regional existing infrastructure and connecting it with future industries. The Gangwon case is also evaluated as benchmarking these successful models and developing them to fit Korean characteristics.

Q: Is post mining possible without environmental restoration?

A: Environmental restoration is an essential prerequisite for post mining and must be done first for safety and sustainability.

• Post mining without environmental restoration is impossible and could cause even greater disasters. First, because of safety issues. Mine tunnel collapse or ground subsidence can pose direct dangers to new facilities and residents. Second, if environmental pollution continues, new industries won't be sustainable either. If acid water or heavy metal contamination isn't resolved, it will negatively affect high-tech industries where clean image is important. Third, mine damage recovery is legally mandatory. Fourth, environmental restoration is essential for investment attraction. Modern companies emphasize ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) management, so they won't invest in areas where environment isn't restored.
• Therefore, post mining's core is simultaneously promoting environmental restoration and new industry development. Rather, the environmental restoration process itself can become an opportunity for new technology development and job creation, so economic effects can also be achieved with good planning.

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