Biodiversity of Cyprus by NGO Protection of the Natural Heritage and the Biodiversity of Cyprus: Kokkinoantonis Mine from the sky - Μεταλείο «Κοκκινοαντώνης» στο χωριό Μαθιάτης-Cyprus

Sunday 5 January 2020

Kokkinoantonis Mine from the sky - Μεταλείο «Κοκκινοαντώνης» στο χωριό Μαθιάτης-Cyprus

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Thanks to my son Chrysantho Konstantinou for his drone footage 4/1/2020 Cyprus

There are two mines in Mathiatis, of historical and geological interest, which attract thousands of visitors and scientists – from Cyprus and abroad – and the community is listed in the first travellers maps for its archaeological and historical importance, which is closely linked to the mines.

Referring to the second mine, the Kokkinoantonis Mine, to the north, there is a huge crater”, adding that “this mine is not of archaeological significance, but of geological importance”.

“One continuously sees students from around the world here, studying the strata”, he said, adding that foreign geologists have pointed out that the strata in the mine can only be found deep under the ocean bed.

This is a pyrite mine”, adding that “in order, works began for mining gold, silver, copper and iron”.

The research and mining activity in the area of the northern mine of Mathiatis begain in November 1935 by Cyprus Mines Corporation and continued by the Hellenic Mining Industry until 1990, when its mining lease expired.

Today, the northern mine is of worldwide interest and has been studied by over 30 universities from abroad.

The area of this mine is dotted with antiquities, with the most well-known one being the head of Bacchus, “Dionysus of Mathiatis”, sculpted in limestone 11cm thick and 51,2 cm tall. It dates back to the 2nd and 1st century BC and is exhibited at the Cyprus Museum.

Referring to the other historical monuments of Mathiatis, to the northwest of the community, along the river, there are five flour mills, at least 250 years old”.