Maybe your summer holiday takes you to this historical mine site?
The Copper Coast Geopark is located on the southern coast of Ireland. Copper, lead and silver were mined in the area, with the industry at its peak in the 19th century. The historic remains of Tankardstown and Knockmahon mines can be seen with cycling routes taking in the Greenway tunnel, built by the last of the Bunmahon copper miners. The Geopark also provides a visitor’s centre, walking trails and a guided tour.
The oldest rocks of the Copper Coast are mafic volcanic rocks formed 460 million years ago by subduction of the continental margin, followed by mudstones, siltstones and limestones formed in an oceanic setting. This Tramore Limestone formation includes unique species of Trilobites. Later oceanic volcanic activity produced more felsic rhyolitic and brecciated rocks. Then, around 390 million years ago, the area became a desert landscape producing red sandstone and conglomerates that was altered by uplift and later covered by ice sheets.
Learn more about the Copper Coast Geopark at https://coppercoastgeopark.com/, and as a UNESCO Global Geopark at http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/earth-sciences/unesco-global-geoparks/list-of-unesco-global-geoparks/ireland/copper-coast/. You can also take a 3D tour of what the more inaccessible areas of the mining complex look like here.
MINTELL4EU is preparing a European map showing Historical mine sites with touristic interests and information. The map will be accessible at EGDI, European Geological Data Infrastructure by the end of 2020.