World’s oldest copper mine passes 50,000-tonne mark

THE WORLD’S longest producing copper mine, at Skouriotissa, yesterday marked the production of 50,000 tonnes of copper.

“Due to its rich copper resources, Cyprus gained an important place in history from around 2000 B.C and developed economically, commercially, socially and culturally,” said Agriculture Minister, Sophoclis Aletraris at an event to mark the occasion.

He said copper mining constituted one of the biggest industries on the island…and is solely owned, managed and run by a Cypriot company.

Skouriotissa copper mine in the Nicosia area, is owned by Hellenic Copper Mines Ltd and is the only metal-producing company in Cyprus involved in copper production.

Copper was used for the first time on the island in the Chalcolithic Age from 4000BC to 2500BC, which has has since been known for its copper resources. The discovery of rich copper-bearing ores on the north slope of the Troodos mountains led to the mining of Cyprus’ rich mineral resources in the Bronze Age at sites such as Ambelikou-Aletri. 

With today’s prices the export of copper brings in tens of millions of euros annually, said Aletraris, significantly contributing to the country’s economy. “Also the work that it offers to people that come mainly from rural regions, during a period where unemployment is on the rise, cannot go unnoticed,” he added.

In 1996 the company revived the mine at Skouriotissa and implemented, for the first time in Europe, the practise of hydrometallurgy, which is a method for obtaining metals from their ores.

Aletraris said that hydrometallurgy allows for the exploitation of low-grade ores, which was not economically viable using traditional methods, as well as being a lot greener.

He also said that the ministry will continue to support the company’s policy to expand with the creation of a second metal mining centre at Apliki.

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