This site is one of the volcanogenic massive sulfide ore deposits in the Iberian Pyrite Belt, which extends from the southern Portugal into Spain.

In 1854 Nicolau Biava, an Italian miner from Piedmont, Italy, staked a claim to the mine; ownership then passed to a French syndicate.

Known as Pomaron in England, this inland port was specially constructed on the River Guadiana, which here forms the border with Spain, to serve the mine.

This added another level of devastation in the region, as there was now an excess of people out of work due to the mine closure.

The area around the mine has a Mediterranean climate with very hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.