|
The Mining industry of Cyprus is synonymous with copper extraction which began around 4,000 BC. Copper dominates the mining sector along with mining of iron pyrite, gold, chromites and asbestos fibers, bentonite, cement, and also petroleum.〔 However, in respect of national economy, as of 2012, the mining sector does not contribute in a significant way. ==History== The name Cyprus means Cuprous and is synonymous with copper.〔 Its name is a derivative of Kupros, the Greek island. Copper production is traced to the fourth millennium BC〔 when it was used to make tools.〔 The people of ancient Cyprus were known for their metallurgical skills and they had prospected most of the copper areas, which have been mostly fully extracted by producing high grade metal copper, known as "copper talents"; underground extraction methods were adopted. The waste of the metallurgical treatment, known as "ancient slug", has minimal residual copper lying outside the mines which are now protected monuments under legislation.〔 In the Bronze Age copper was found on the surface, and in the Troodos Mountain on its northern slopes (in the Pillow Lavas Series of Troodos Ophiolite) was the source of extensive copper bearing ores. During the Roman period Cyprus met all the copper requirements of the world. Following the downfall of the Roman Empire, copper mining in the country hibernated up to the 19th century. From the 19th century pyrite and chalcopyrite mining was done for producing sulfur, and also copper.〔 In 1878 Cyprus became a colony of the British Empire which resulted in a change in the social and political spheres in the country. During the mid 1920s, mining was the most important industrial sector of the country which was controlled by foreign companies. For the foreign companies, the conditions were suitable as the British administration favoured them with "extra-territorial rights" and gave a "free hand" to exploit their workers at will during and after the World War I. There was no labour legislation at all, and workers had no rights whatsoever such as specified working hours, medical care, etc. The colonial administration did not favour introduction of any legal regulations to protect the mining workers against exploitation. The then colonial secretary had refused to consider any kind of legislation of the welfare of mining workers. During conflicts against Greece and Turkey copper extraction was suspended in 1974, and with the cease-fire demarcation line dividing the mines following the conflict, production totally ceased in 1979. The Skouriotissa copper mine may be the oldest operating mine in the world,〔 started in 1914 by the Cyprus Mines Corporation, which was worked up to 1974. In 1974, the mine's control was transferred to the Hellenic Copper Mines Ltd.〔 As a result of near complete extraction of copper and iron pyrite ore, which was further compounded by increased cost of production without adequate safeguard of rise in international prices, a serious recession occurred in the mining sector of the country from 1974.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Mining industry of Cyprus」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|