noun
foot of a mountain; base of a mountain
Refers to the lower part of a mountain or the area at its base. The reading やまもと is standard; 山下 and 山本 are rare variants for this meaning.
See also: 山下 (さんか)
山元には小さな集落がある。
There is a small settlement at the foot of the mountain.
Typically written 山元. Refers to a mining site, especially a coal mine.
その山元は閉山した。
That mine has been closed.
noun
owner of a mountain; operator of a mine
Only when written 山元
Typically written 山元. Can refer to the proprietor of a mountain or the operator of a mining operation.
山元が採掘権を持っている。
The mine operator holds the mining rights.
ふもと is the more common word for 'foot of a mountain' and is usually written in kana or as 麓. 山元 is less frequent and can also mean 'mine' or 'mine owner'.
Compound of 山 (yama, 'mountain') and 元 (moto, 'origin, base'). The reading やまもと is a straightforward combination. The extended meanings 'mine' and 'mine owner' likely derive from the idea of the mountain as a source of resources.