鉱山(こうざん)

こうざん
noun
mine (for minerals)
geographywork
1. mine (for minerals)
A site where minerals, metals, or other geological materials are extracted from the earth. Composed of 鉱 (ore/mineral) + 山 (mountain).
この鉱山(こうざん)では金(きん)が採(と)れる。
Gold is mined at this mine.
廃(はい)鉱山(こうざん)が観光地(かんこうち)として整備(せいび)された。
An abandoned mine was developed as a tourist attraction.
鉱山(こうざん)労働者(ろうどうしゃ)の安全(あんぜん)対策(たいさく)が大(おお)きな課題(かだい)となっている。
Safety measures for mine workers have become a major issue.

Usage

鉱山(こうざん) refers to any type of mine for extracting minerals or metals. Japan has several historically significant mines, including the 石見(いわみ)銀山(ぎんざん) (Iwami Silver Mine), which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Common collocations

  • 金(きん)鉱山(こうざん) (gold mine)
  • 銀(ぎん)鉱山(こうざん) (silver mine)
  • 銅(どう)鉱山(こうざん) (copper mine)
  • 廃(はい)鉱山(こうざん) (abandoned mine)
  • 鉱山(こうざん)開発(かいはつ) (mine development)

Similar words

炭鉱(たんこう) specifically refers to a coal mine. 採掘(さいくつ) means "mining" or "excavation" as an activity.

Related Words

Related: 鉱物(こうぶつ) (mineral)
Related: 炭鉱(たんこう) (coal mine)
Related: 採掘(さいくつ) (mining)
general
Added 2026.3.8 18:09 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
15500/15746_kouzan