About the Museum

Outline of the Mineral Industry Museum

Akita is rich in mineral and petroleum resources and has traditionally been the most prosperous mining area in Japan. There are numbers of hydrothermal ore deposits represented by the Kuroko and vein type deposits in the eastern mountain area. The coastal area is known as one of the largest oil and gas fields in Japan. These natural resources have been developed for the promotion of Japan’s modernization and high economic growth for a long time.
Since the foundation of Akita Mining College in 1910, more than 20,000 valuable geologic specimens and mining industry items have been collected for education and research of mining. We properly preserve these collections and offer them to be utilized for research and education of the future generations.
In the exhibition building, approximately 3300 items are systematically exhibited. We have three exhibition spaces, the ground floor for mineral and ore specimens, the 2nd floor for the exhibition on the history of the Earth and life, and 3rd floor for the mining-related exhibition.

History of The Mineral Industry Museum, Akita University

1910	The Akita Mining College was established. Specimens of rocks, ores and fossils had been exhibited to the public in an exhibition room "Reppin-shitu".
1941	Most of the specimens in the exhibition room were burned in a fire.
1949	The Mining Museum was founded by the Mining College of Akita University.
1961	The Mineral Industry Museum was established. New buildings were also built on the Tegata-yama Hillside as one of the projects of the 50th Anniversary of the Mining College.
1994	Museum exhibitions were renewed as commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the Museum.
1996	The Museum websites and The Museum Database were opened to the public.
2011	The exhibition was renewed to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Akita Mining College.

Staff

Director / Professor	Tsukasa OHBA
Deputy director / Associate Professor	Osamu NISHIKAWA
Curator / Technical Staff	Keigo CHIDA