The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology recently announced the sixth batch of National Industrial Heritage, with 37 industrial heritage projects making the list. Among them, the Maoming Oil Shale Mining and Refining Project (Maoming Oil Shale Refinery), located in the Maonan district, Maoming, was selected. This project is one of only two industrial heritage projects from Guangdong province to be recognized.

The core components of the Maoming Oil Shale Refinery include the open-pit mine, oil shale retorting test furnace, machinery processing plant, and the original office building of the Maoming municipal people's government. After ecological restoration, the open-pit mine has been transformed into a scenic ecological park.

The development and construction of the Maoming Oil Shale Refinery plays a key role in the history of China's petroleum industry. The oil shale deposits were explored in 1954, with construction beginning in 1955 and production starting in 1961. When operations ceased in 1992, the project had produced 2.92 million metric tons of shale oil, contributing to the national and local economy.

Recognizing national industrial heritage aims to enhance the protection and utilization of industrial heritage sites, promoting their vitalization in the new era. The park also houses Guangdong's first mining site museum, preserving Maoming's mining culture and spirit.

The open-pit ecological park in Maonan, Maoming. [Photo/WeChat account: maofabu]