Copper was first discovered and exploited during the Chalcolithic Age (3900 to 2500 BC). For many centuries Cyprus was the biggest producer and exporter of copper in the world.

The discovery of the rich stores of copper sulphide zones coincided with the pioneering development of advanced methods of extracting copper from its copper sulphide ores.

The early pioneering metallurgists traveled around the Mediterranean in their search for tin a metal essential in the production of the copper-tin alloy, bronze. Weapons such as arrow heads, spears and lance heads were made from bronze, as well as this the metal was used for making tools and implements for domestic purposes. Bronze formed the most important trade for Cyprus for many centuries.

Wealth was generated to the Cypriot people as their capacity for exporting the metals increased. This increased prosperity resulted in trade with other countries and the importation of luxury items made from gold, ivory and silver.

It is believed that an increase in population was the result of the increased wealth and prosperity of the island as people from the northern mainland were attracted by the active and flourishing life.

Most of the copper produced in Cyprus was intended for export. Evidence of the trade with Cyprus has been found in Iraq, Iran, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Palestine, Crete, Sardinia, Greece, Italy and in the Black Sea.

The production of copper and bronze continued until iron replaced them in the manufacture of weapons and implements.

During the Roman period copper mining decreased and by the time Richard the Lionheart visited the island it was completely abandoned.

But the copper mining had lasted for 3,500 years and produced more than 200, 000 tons of copper metal. Evidence for this has been found in the extensive mounds of waste products, the ancient slag heaps, particularly in evidence on the lower slopes of the Troodos mountain range where more than 2 million tons of slag heaps are in the Skouriotossa area. At Kalavassos 750,000 tons of slag was found.

It took vast amount of energy to produce the copper from the ore and it is probable that the pine trees from many thousands of square kilometers of forests were destroyed in the process.

5 years ago mining restarted in Skouriotossa area. Copper is now exported in container ships from Lemesos harbour.