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Unnamed Copper mine, Asgata, Limassol District, Cyprusi
| Regional Level Types | |
|---|---|
| Unnamed Copper mine | Mine |
| Asgata | Municipality |
| Limassol District | District |
| Cyprus | Country |
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Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
34° 45' 41'' North , 33° 13' 35'' East
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
Type:
KÃķppen climate type:
Nearest Settlements:
| Place | Population | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| MonagroÚlli | 492 (2015) | 1.9km |
| AsgÃĄta | 406 (2014) | 3.3km |
| Moni | 403 (2013) | 4.0km |
| Pyrgos | 1,407 (2013) | 4.5km |
| Parekklisha | 1,382 (2013) | 6.5km |
Copper mines started in Antiquity.
The mine was abandoned in 1978
Abandoned Copper Mine near Asgata Village, Cyprus
The abandoned mining area near Asgata forms part of the historic AsgataâKalavasos copper-mining district, one of the important metallurgical landscapes of southern Cyprus. The district contains several ancient and modern mine sites, including Mavridia, Mavri Sykia, Lantaria, Plateies and Petra. Mining activity in the wider area extended from prehistoric and ClassicalâRoman times into the twentieth century. Archaeological surveys have documented ancient galleries, inclined shafts, slag accumulations and the remains of more recent industrial workings.
The large abandoned excavation east of Asgata is most probably associated with the Mavridia Mine, the largest mine in the Asgata group. Mavridia is situated approximately 1.5 km east of the village and comprised seven mineralised bodies with an estimated total tonnage of about 5.75 million tonnes. The largest body, known as Deposit B or the Mousoulos Deposit, contained approximately 2.5 million tonnes with reported average grades of around 2% copper and 40% sulphur.
Modern mining at Mavridia began during the 1930s and continued until 1978. The mine was initially developed underground, while surface exploitation was introduced during the later stages of its operation. The exposed benches, waste-rock dumps and oxidised mine surfaces visible today represent the remains of this combined underground and open-pit mining history.
Geological setting
The deposits belong to the Cyprus-type volcanogenic massive sulphide deposit family, hosted by volcanic rocks of the Troodos ophiolite. The mineralisation was originally formed by submarine hydrothermal activity associated with oceanic crust. Sulphide-rich fluids circulated through fractured volcanic rocks and precipitated massive to semi-massive sulphide bodies near or beneath the ancient seafloor.
The principal mined minerals in the Asgata district were:
chalcopyrite, the main copper-bearing mineral;
pyrite, historically important both as an iron sulphide and as a source of sulphur;
minor quantities of gold.
The ancient miners located the deposits by following strongly oxidised rocks developed above the sulphide bodies. These weathered zones may contain iron oxides and hydroxides produced by the oxidation of pyrite and chalcopyrite.
Mining and archaeological significance
The AsgataâKalavasos mining region was exploited from prehistoric times until Late Antiquity, approximately the seventh century AD. Surviving features include ancient galleries, sloping shafts, slag heaps and metallurgical remains. The landscape therefore records both ore extraction and local processing of copper-bearing material.
The twentieth-century mines were important to the economic and social development of Asgata. The mining complex included underground adits, ore-storage installations, transport infrastructure and later surface workings. The modern industrial remains are now integrated into the METAL PLACES geo-metallurgical heritage project, which documents ancient mines, modern workings and walking routes around the village.
Related mine sites
Plateies Mine, also known as the Roman Mine, lies approximately 1.5 km north of Asgata. Its modern entrance was known as Tunnel 247, referring to its elevation above sea level. The estimated deposit contained approximately 250,000 tonnes with reported average grades of about 1% Cu and 30% sulphur.
Mavri Sykia Mine, approximately 2 km northeast of Asgata, was accessed through Tunnel 200. Its deposit was estimated at around 1.5 million tonnes grading approximately 1% Cu and 30% sulphur. Modern extraction took place between 1954 and 1976, with a temporary interruption caused by flooding. Some gold was reportedly recovered during surface exploitation.
Lantaria Mine, close to Mavri Sykia, contained an estimated 500,000 tonnes grading approximately 0.5% Cu and 30% sulphur. Modern production occurred between 1961 and 1964.
Present condition
Today the mining landscape includes abandoned open excavations, waste-rock dumps, oxidised sulphide material, mine portals and remains of transport and ore-handling infrastructure. A marked heritage trail connects Stoa 247 with the Mavridia Mine; the published route is approximately 4.9 km long.
The Asgata Centre for Natural and Geo-Metallurgical Heritage, housed in the former village school, displays geological and mining specimens, archaeological material, mining equipment, historical photographs and archival footage of twentieth-century mining activity.
The mine was abandoned in 1978
Abandoned Copper Mine near Asgata Village, Cyprus
The abandoned mining area near Asgata forms part of the historic AsgataâKalavasos copper-mining district, one of the important metallurgical landscapes of southern Cyprus. The district contains several ancient and modern mine sites, including Mavridia, Mavri Sykia, Lantaria, Plateies and Petra. Mining activity in the wider area extended from prehistoric and ClassicalâRoman times into the twentieth century. Archaeological surveys have documented ancient galleries, inclined shafts, slag accumulations and the remains of more recent industrial workings.
The large abandoned excavation east of Asgata is most probably associated with the Mavridia Mine, the largest mine in the Asgata group. Mavridia is situated approximately 1.5 km east of the village and comprised seven mineralised bodies with an estimated total tonnage of about 5.75 million tonnes. The largest body, known as Deposit B or the Mousoulos Deposit, contained approximately 2.5 million tonnes with reported average grades of around 2% copper and 40% sulphur.
Modern mining at Mavridia began during the 1930s and continued until 1978. The mine was initially developed underground, while surface exploitation was introduced during the later stages of its operation. The exposed benches, waste-rock dumps and oxidised mine surfaces visible today represent the remains of this combined underground and open-pit mining history.
Geological setting
The deposits belong to the Cyprus-type volcanogenic massive sulphide deposit family, hosted by volcanic rocks of the Troodos ophiolite. The mineralisation was originally formed by submarine hydrothermal activity associated with oceanic crust. Sulphide-rich fluids circulated through fractured volcanic rocks and precipitated massive to semi-massive sulphide bodies near or beneath the ancient seafloor.
The principal mined minerals in the Asgata district were:
chalcopyrite, the main copper-bearing mineral;
pyrite, historically important both as an iron sulphide and as a source of sulphur;
minor quantities of gold.
The ancient miners located the deposits by following strongly oxidised rocks developed above the sulphide bodies. These weathered zones may contain iron oxides and hydroxides produced by the oxidation of pyrite and chalcopyrite.
Mining and archaeological significance
The AsgataâKalavasos mining region was exploited from prehistoric times until Late Antiquity, approximately the seventh century AD. Surviving features include ancient galleries, sloping shafts, slag heaps and metallurgical remains. The landscape therefore records both ore extraction and local processing of copper-bearing material.
The twentieth-century mines were important to the economic and social development of Asgata. The mining complex included underground adits, ore-storage installations, transport infrastructure and later surface workings. The modern industrial remains are now integrated into the METAL PLACES geo-metallurgical heritage project, which documents ancient mines, modern workings and walking routes around the village.
Related mine sites
Plateies Mine, also known as the Roman Mine, lies approximately 1.5 km north of Asgata. Its modern entrance was known as Tunnel 247, referring to its elevation above sea level. The estimated deposit contained approximately 250,000 tonnes with reported average grades of about 1% Cu and 30% sulphur.
Mavri Sykia Mine, approximately 2 km northeast of Asgata, was accessed through Tunnel 200. Its deposit was estimated at around 1.5 million tonnes grading approximately 1% Cu and 30% sulphur. Modern extraction took place between 1954 and 1976, with a temporary interruption caused by flooding. Some gold was reportedly recovered during surface exploitation.
Lantaria Mine, close to Mavri Sykia, contained an estimated 500,000 tonnes grading approximately 0.5% Cu and 30% sulphur. Modern production occurred between 1961 and 1964.
Present condition
Today the mining landscape includes abandoned open excavations, waste-rock dumps, oxidised sulphide material, mine portals and remains of transport and ore-handling infrastructure. A marked heritage trail connects Stoa 247 with the Mavridia Mine; the published route is approximately 4.9 km long.
The Asgata Centre for Natural and Geo-Metallurgical Heritage, housed in the former village school, displays geological and mining specimens, archaeological material, mining equipment, historical photographs and archival footage of twentieth-century mining activity.
List of minerals for each chemical element
Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality
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