Since Roman times, Mazarrón has been irrevocably linked to mining in the mountains. Mazarrón was a very conscious choice for the Romans because the territory was rich in various minerals including zinc, iron, lead and silver. Mazarrón also has a strategic location near the sea, which is ideal for the export of goods and it is also close to one of the most important cities of that time, Cartago Nova, today's Cartagena. It was therefore obvious that mining would develop further here and meant great economic growth for Mazarrón. In the 15th century, the trade in the minerals that were mined in these mines grew due to the discovery of alum. Alum was used, among other things, to dye clothing. Towards the end of the 16th century, the exploitation of alum began to decline due to competition and conflicts with other countries. A final revival of mining came at the end of the 19th century with the exploitation of iron and silver. Due to poor working conditions and falling metal prices, the mines became less profitable at the beginning of the 20th century. This led to a definitive cessation of mining operations in the late 1960s. Today, the mines are quiet and deserted. A trip to this mining area will not leave you unmoved. When you enter the mining area, you enter a completely different world. The first thing you encounter are the mine heaps consisting of yellow and red hues, due to the oxidation of the mine waste. The mining complex consists of a main building, a loading area for materials, the working areas, remains of offices and houses of the miners, abandoned barracks, old machinery, high chimneys, mine shafts, entrances to old mine pits and tunnels that lead into the hills. When it has rained, puddles of red water here and there attract attention. This intense colour is due to the discharge of acids that come from the mines. The landscape is breathtaking and indescribable.