Although mining in the Orígens Geopark is currently inactive, a range of minerals have been exploited throughout history. Mining has had a major local socioeconomic impact throughout:
- The production of lime and cement from carbonated rocks (cement factories of the Pobla de Segur and Xerallo) and coal mining (Sossís, Isona and Coll de Nargó).
- Mining of metals such as iron, copper, lead and zinc
- Mining of uranium in Mines de Castell during the 1960s.
- Numerous hydroelectric power plants, such as the Mining Heritage Interest Site (LIPM – in its Catalan acronym) in la Vall Fosca or the Talarn and Camarasa hydroelectric power plants and their associated reservoirs.
It should be noted that the minerologist and gemologist Joan Abella i Creus discovered the mineral Abellaite in this territory, the first new mineral species recorded and described in Catalonia.
Here you can find the mineral deposits of interest selected for the Orígens Geopark:
- Iron mining in Manyanet Valley
- Iron mining in Sant Esteve de la Sarga
- Manganese and salt mining in Gerri de la Sal
- Copper mining in la Torre de Capdella
- Lead and zinc mining in Mont-Ros and Pobellà
- Cupper and uranium mining in Castell-Estaó
- Lignite mining in Isona
- Sulphate mining in Tendrui
- Carbonate rock mining in Xerallo
- Carbonate rock mining in la Pobla de Segur
- Clay rock mining in Palau de Noguera
