Skouriotissa Mine
The Skouriotissa Mine (Metalio Skouriotissas) is located 25 kilometers southwest of Nicosia in the homonymous province of Cyprus, and is a few hundred meters away from the settlement of Katydata.
Cyprus has historically linked its name to copper (cuprous). Copper mining in Cyprus began before 3000 BC. and the ancestors of the island were proven miners and skillful metallurgists. Thus, up to this day most of the copper ore has been produced, while during the metallurgical process, the little residual copper (rust) is protected by law as ancient monuments. The name (skouria is “rust” in Greek) of the Skouriotissa Mine, links its name to the above.
Being the world's oldest copper mine, the Skouriotissa Mine continues to produce copper until today, applying the modern method of hydrometallurgy, which is environmentally friendly and has lower costs, thus allowing the processing of ores of lower content. In recent years the mine has also dallied in modern experiments, such as converting solar radiation to copper.
With references from the years of Homer already, the mine’s history begins about 4000 years ago, as evidenced by the finding of ancient galleries in the area of the old village of Skouriotissa. That is when the ancients of the mythical kingdoms transported copper from Fokasa Hill to Xeros sea. The Skouriotissa Mine began operating around 1921 until 1974, and since 1994 it continues to this day. During its operation, it even produced copper derivatives that were used by large pharmaceutical companies. In 1916 it was transferred to the hands of the Cypriot Mines Corporation (CMC) and, with the Turkish invasion of 1974, it remained in the free areas, while its processing facilities were in the occupied part of the island. In the period 1976-1995, the Hellenic Mining Company undertakes the production of copper and gold. Since 1994 and to this day, the Hellenic Copper Mines (HCM) have been using the mine’s copper deposits.
Along with the exploitation of copper, sulphide copper ores, especially iron pyrite, are also mined, while in the whole of the mining area of the Skouriotissa Mine there were also found the deposits of Fokasas, Finikas and Tria Vounarka. Inside the mine there are also two artificial lakes, which are indispensable in the process of copper mining.
Although the entrance is forbidden to the public, various events (concerts and performances) are at times organized at the Skouriotissa Mine.