Maoming City in Guangdong Province is known as the "Oil City in the South" of China, boasting rich petroleum cultural resources. The Open-pit Mine Museum is an excellent place for people to learn about the local mining history and industrial development.
The Open-pit Mine Museum showcases the construction and development process, historical significance, and cultural accumulation of the mining area from 1958 to the present. A large number of historical relics, photos, and documentary materials related to mining operations are on display in the museum. From the early exploration stage to the peak production period, visitors can trace back the important moments of the open-pit mine.
In 1956, China decided to develop the Maoming petroleum base. More than 100,000 builders gathered there. The mining and refining of oil shale started in 1961 and ceased production in 1993. During this period, over 100 million tons of oil shale were mined in total and 2.92 million tons of shale oil were produced, which alleviated the oil shortage and laid a solid foundation for Maoming's industry and urban pattern.
Nowadays, Maoming City has built an open-pit mine ecological park in line with local conditions. The Open-pit Mine Museum was renovated from two two-story factory buildings on the waste dump of the mining area.
The museum has three floors and is equipped with five functional areas, namely the historical exhibition hall, the petrochemical science popularization hall, the sightseeing and leisure area, the cultural relics storage room, and the public service area. It has become a platform for the exchange and learning of mining culture and enables people from all over the world to understand the history of Maoming's mining heritage.
For those who are interested in industrial history and urban changes, this place is a must visit.
Author & Photo: Yan Zhixiong
Editor: Wei Shen, James, Shen He
