Geo-mineral Park of Sardinia, a park which was defined by UNESCO as "a cultural patrimony belonging to the entire human race".

Sardinia is not only a land of extraordinary natural beauty but also natural resources. The industrial history of Sardinia developed around the mines and the miners who worked in them. Industrial growth blossomed after 1840 when there was intense mining activity which employed around 15,000 people in the Sulcis-Iglesiente basin.

At the time this was the largest concentration of miners found anywhere.
The mines in the park, which were closed in the second half of the twentieth century, remain sites of both natural and cultural interest and are recognised by UNESCO.

The park project, includes eight areas all over Sardinia chosen for their archaeological, naturalistic and geo-mineral importance.
Through the conservation and study of these areas it is possible to trace back 8000 years in the geological history of Sardinia.

The areas included in the Geo-Mineral Park project are:

• Monte Arci: 270 square km (7%) obsidian was mined in VI millennium B.C.
  
  
• Monte Orani: 130 square km (3,5%) soapstone was mined, recent Neolithic.
  
  
• Funtana Raminosa: 45 square km (3,85%) copper was mined to make bronze statues.
  
  
• Argentiera e Nurra: 61 square km (2%) lead, zinc and silver was mined in the Roman period.
  
  
• Guzzurra-Enato: 133 square km (3,5%) lead, zinc, and silver was mined in the Roman period.
  
  
• Sarrabus-Gerrei: 575 square km (15%) lead, zinc, tin and iron was mined in the Punic period.
  
  
• Sulcis-Iglesiente: 2.455 square km (65%) The most represented area of the park which holds the biggest hope for tourist development.
  
  
• Gallura with the Archipelago of the Maddalena, the Golf of Olbia, and Capotesta, not delimited because of its tourism.
  

The Geo-mineral park of Sardinia represents an instrument which could be used to transform the problems created by the mining patrimony (safety, pollution, decline of the area) into a renewed economic source.

From the point of view of tourism there is great potential in exploiting handicrafts, food and wine and restoring historic buildings.

Also of interest are the prospective museums, from an educational, scientific and technological point of view.
The geo-mineral park of Sardinia presents a chance to discover the natural beauty, study the geology and look at the history of mining on the island.