[Special News] Iwami-Ginzan Silver Mine Ruins to be on the tentative list of World Heritage!

The National Cultural Properties Protection Council has decided on November 17, 2000 that the Iwami-Ginzan Silver Mine Ruins be added to the tentative list of World Heritage. This means that the Ruins were officially recognized as a prospective World Heritage, gaining momentum to the official designation. Since its discovery in 1526, the Iwami-Ginzan Silver Mine has been operated for over 400 years as one of Japan's prominent mines. At one time, Japan's silver production amounted to nearly one-third of the world's silver production, and one-fifth of the Japan's silver was produced in Iwami. The Iwami-Ginzan Silver Mine, as well as the Potosi Silver Mine in Bolivia, was the largest silver mine in the world, having a great influence on the world economy at that time.

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