The mining engineers were keen to explore the site and find out more about the history of Lithgow’s State Mine. 

The aspect they were most keen to learn about was the recovery of mines and what you can do with a mine after it has been decommissioned. 

Lithgow volunteer John Zeni was on hand to talk to the delegates through an interpreter about their research into the different mines around Lithgow. 

He also showed them through the museum and answered any questions. 

The delegates were a bit disappointed that they couldn’t go down into the mine. 

“Unfortunately there is water down there from the floods we had, so nobody can access the mine,” Mr Zeni said. 

Chief engineer, Professor Li, was curious about the environmental aspect of the mine and the toll it had on the people who worked in it. 

“I don’t think that was a big concern for miners in the 1960’s,” Mr Zeni said. 

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One question they had was about what happened to the land once a mine shut down, particularly about the land caving in if the mine was not filled. 

“Nothing, it just stayed there, the land never caved in, so it is all fine,” Mr Zeni said. 

The engineers said they had enjoyed their trip to Lithgow and were keen to explore the town before they went home. 

The team from the Sichuan Metallurgical Geological Survey Bureau included: 

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