The area includes extant ancient copper mines. Weapons forged with the copper from this mine have been found across Europe, and was traded for tin from Cornwall during the Bronze Age. Copper mining in the area declined, though the site at Whitespots in the village subsequently became one of the most important sources for minerals in the United Kingdom during the 19th century. At this time, the mines were the largest such complex in Ireland, and produced around 13,500 tonnes of lead between the late 17th century until the end of the 19th century, making it one of the major lead mines of the British Isles during that time.[2] Production stopped in 1900, after a decline from 1854.[3]
The area contains the only known occurrence of the mineral harmotome in Northern Ireland.[4]
