Subsidy for Pollution-Prevention Works at Closed / Abandoned Mines (FY2025 Supplementary) — Chugoku Mine Safety Supervision Department

(1) Overview: This subsidy from METI's Industrial Safety Supervision Department covers part of the cost of mining-damage-prevention and hazard-prevention works at abandoned or dormant non-coal/non-lignite mines. It is paid to (a) local governments executing the works and (b) operators conducting mine-wastewater (kouhaisui) treatment. The Chugoku supervision department covers Tottori, Shimane, Okayama, Hiroshima, and Yamaguchi prefectures. (2) Eligible applicants: Two tracks. (a) Local governments that carry out hazard/pollution-prevention works at 'eligible mines' where the original obligor is insolvent or no longer exists. (b) Mine-wastewater treatment operators (including designated pollution-prevention bodies / JOGMEC etc.) at mines whose mining right has expired or where mining ended long ago with no prospect of resumption. Parties matching the anti-organised-crime declaration are excluded. (3) Eligible expenses & content: Category A pollution-prevention works (slag removal, retaining dams/walls, hillside / drainage channels, mine sealing, wastewater collection/conveyance/treatment facilities, prevention of toxic-substance release, refilling of open-pit traces); B wastewater treatment; C post-completion facility maintenance; D hazard-prevention works (sealing shafts, residual-wall shaping, collapse-prevention). Cost categories and computation basis follow Annex 1, aligned with the River Bureau Director-General's tables 1-3. (4) Subsidy rate, ceiling, schedule & application tips: Up to 3/4 (0.75) of eligible expenses; minimum award is in principle JPY 1,000,000 (waivable when execution is deemed essential); no fixed upper ceiling beyond the FY budget. Apply with Form 1 (local govt) or Form 24 (wastewater operator) plus the works-plan and itemised cost statement, by the Annex-2 deadline, to the supervising Mine Safety Director (Chugoku-Shikoku Mining Safety Supervision Director for this region). Electronic filing via the subsidy application system is permitted. Standard processing period to grant decision: 30 days. Performance report due 30 days after completion or by April 10 of the next fiscal year, whichever is earlier.