(Commonwealth_Europe) After five years of inactivity, a major milestone has been reached in Cyprus’s mining sector with the first export of pure copper cathodes from the Skouriotissa and Apliki mines. Stelios Michail, the Director of the Geological Survey Department, announced this development during a recent conference in Nicosia. The event focused on the role of mining in Cyprus today and was organized by the Geological Survey Department in partnership with the Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation (OEB). It was held under the auspices of the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment, Maria Panagiotou.
The mining industry, which has long been a pillar of Cyprus’s development, received fresh attention at the recent conference in Nicosia. The event, which had as its theme “The Mining Industry in Today’s Cyprus—Green Development, Recycling, Modern Perception, and Technology,” brought together industry leaders, experts, and officials to consider the island’s mining history, present, and future.
The conference’s speakers emphasized how intricately mining has been woven into Cyprus’s past. From antiquity to the present, the sector has fueled economic expansion, produced thousands of jobs, and been essential to the development of infrastructure and technology. The message was unambiguous: mining continues to play a significant role in the national economy.
This view was supported by a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture, which pointed out that the national and local economies have historically depended heavily on the extraction and export of mineral resources. However, the discussion went beyond the past. Major topics of discussion included the future and how Cyprus can continue to grow this industry in a way that respects people and the environment.
The conference heavily emphasized sustainability throughout. Participants looked at how the mining sector can change in the modern era by adopting greener technologies, creative approaches, and more conscientious natural resource management. As numerous speakers underlined, the objective is not only to continue utilizing the island’s mineral wealth but also to do so in a manner that benefits local communities and supports sustainable development.
In her opening message, delivered on her behalf by Iliana Tofa, Director General of the Environment General Directorate, Agriculture Minister Maria Panagiotou reinforced the importance of mining in today’s economy. She underscored its serious role in Cyprus’s changeover to a greener, more digitally driven future. In a world where geopolitics and rapid scientific change are redesigning global markets, the need for responsibly obtained minerals is greater than ever.
Stelios Michail, the Administrator of the Geological Survey Department, stated that the timing of the discussion was particularly significant due to new EU protocols. The European Critical Raw Materials Regulation aims to simplify and speed up the licensing process for mining projects that deal with essential materials. Michail announced that the Geological Survey Department has now been designated as a “One-Stop Shop” to streamline these procedures and encourage investment in the sector.
One of the most exciting updates came from Michail himself. After five years of dormancy, the Skouriotissa and Apliki mines have resumed operations and recently completed their first export of pure copper cathodes. This isn’t just a return to production—it marks a leap forward in mining methods.
