Mining history of Cyprus began 3000BC with the production of
copper and Island’s name has long been linked to copper (Cuprum). Big
quantities were exported and during the Roman period, Cyprus was able to
satisfy almost all of the world’s copper requirements.
In the recent years, mining started around 1921 with the exploitation
of copper. Apart the ore and related products, exploited also chromium, gold,
silver and asbestos and a number of mines could be found around the Island. Due
to environmental issues, exhaust of deposits, competition and drooping of prices,
the mines abandoned. In our days only one is in operation.
The following photos are from Kokkinopezoula
and Kokkinoyia Mines. Both are located
out of Mitsero village in Nicosia district (co-ordinates 35.0416N – 33.0625 E)
and are part of Troodos Geopark, member of UNESCO’s Geoparks.
Kokkinopezoula Mine (the Red Lake)
Operated from 1953 till 1966 and through open-pit mining,
extracted around 5.5 mil tons of ore. The processed product were extorted by
ship from Karavostasi.
Kokkinoyia Mine
Was in operation between 1973 -1979. Using underground
methods, extracted around half million
tons of ore. It was brought to the
surface via a gallery and a mineshaft. Visitor can see the wagon railway lines
as well as the first part of a tunnel (gallery). At the entrance, on a stone, Kostas
Montis poem is engraved, describing in few (but strong) words the life of the miners. Giving bellow a free translation of it:
The mine ...
where the man of the sun and
wind, crawls like the worm to find
or not find again the hole open that will take him back to life ... the mine
that became a curse and accusation,
legend and history.
This that theater and cinema the novel and the song have made spider webs around its dark existence
This that theater and cinema the novel and the song have made spider webs around its dark existence
