Portugal

Portugal has a long history of mining that dates back to the Roman era. The country's mining industry reached its peak in the 18th century, with Portugal being one of the largest producers of copper in Europe. The region of Alentejo, in the south of Portugal, became famous for its copper mines, which supplied the metal to countries all over the world.

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In the 20th century, the decline of the mining industry in Portugal began. The closure of mines, coupled with the rise of other industries like tourism and agriculture, led to a significant drop in mining activity. However, in recent years, efforts have been made to reinvigorate the industry by promoting the development of mineral resources such as tungsten, rare earths, and lithium. Today, the mining industry in Portugal is still small compared to some of its European neighbors, but it is slowly growing and showing signs of promise.