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Chromites
(Photos sources: G. Maliotis Ph.D., "The Mines of Cyprus", October 2021, Nicosia)
The exploitation of chromites in Cyprus is dated from 1922 in certain small surface excavations of discontinuous operation at the region of Troodos mountain and the Limassol Forest. The systematic exploitation of chromites began in 1931 in the Troodos mountain at Kokkinorotsos orebody and later at Kanoures and Hadjipavlou orebody. The Cyprus Chrome Company exploited the Troodos chromites since 1964 and the Hellenic Mining Company continued until 1982, when the operations ceased under the low prices pressure, and because of the infiltration of chromites from South Africa in the international market, with new methods of ferrochrome production and the substitution of refractory chromites by other materials.
Underground exploitation methods were used for the ore recovery. The main underground methods that were used were the horizontal successive slices or levels followed by roof falling (top slicing, sub level caving) or fulfillment of the voids by stone filling or hydraulic filling (cut and fill, crosscut). This was done by using cement pulp containing tailings from the metallurgical treatment plant which was at Agios Nikolaos of Stegi near Kakopetria village. In certain cases the shrinkage method was applied. Also, a full facer was used for the excavation of the lower access tunnel of Kokkinorotsos and a raise borer was used for the various shafts excavation.
The metallurgical methods that were applied were mainly gravitometric, like heavy media in drums and cyclones, vibrated classifiers, tables and cross belts. The produced concentrates, were exported as refractory but the fine fraction under 0,2 millimeters, was also exported as metallurgical for ferrochrome production and for the glass industry.
In the file below you may find the chromites exports from 1930.
Chromites Exports 1930-1983.pdf (Μέγεθος Αρχείου: 11 KB)