Mining in Portugal

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Mining in Portugal is regulated by the Portuguese Ministry of Economy and the Geology and Energy Resources authority under harbor of the state-run research institute INETI. Portugal has been a place for mining activities since the pre-Roman era, when most of the region was known as Lusitania. Gold was extracted until depletion since those ancient times. The country is among the largest European producers of copper and minerals. Tin, tungsten and uranium are other of its mining resources. However, the country lacks hydrocarbon exploration potential, as well as sources of iron, aluminium and coal, a feature that has hindered its mining and metallurgy sector's development. The most prominent mines in the country are those of Neves-Corvo and Panasqueira.