In 1887, France acquired Armenia’s Akhtala deposit of non-ferrous metals located in Lori Province. The joint-stock company Compagnie Francaise Mines D’Akhtala was established here to manage the mines.
Copper was mined mainly by the Greeks and Armenians living in the province. Most of the raw materials would be exported to France. Due to this, some people argue that the symbol of the US – the Statue of Liberty in New York City that was made in France – was manufactured from copper mined in Akhtala.
Now, these mines are abandoned.
HAYASA
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