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The ores mined from the district of Laurion were argentiferous lead ores, silver-bearing lead ores. the picture on the left is an example of argentiferous lead ore from Spain. The ore on the right is an example of blue azurite that is a copper mineral that was recovered from the area of Laurion. These minerals were not the only minerals mined, in addition to the lead and silver were zinc, copper, manganese and, cadmium. According to John Ellis Jones in Greece and Rome 29, "[the layers of rock in the area of Laurion are] basically an alternation between schist and calcite layer with the argentiferous lead ores deposited mainly where impervious schist overlie the more porous limestones" (Jones 1982, 176) Bressen added by saying "the mineralization of lead, zinc, copper and, silver is associated with an igneous intrusion into the older sediments and volcanic rocks"(Bressan 2018). The miners would follow the veins leading to galleries that follow the layers of the rock, as seen in the images to the left. To date, nearly 200 mines and shafts have been located and dated to between 480-250 BCE. With most of the smelters and washeries being located near the coast, it is thought that the furnaces may have required fuel to be imported as the area may have been deforested.

The earliest inhabitation of the area of Attika was located in this region at the site of Kitsos cave with the occupation dating to the Upper Paleolithic. The area has seen mining operations starting in the late Neolithic period. the next period of mining activity comes from lead globules and litharge dating from as early as 1500 BCE to 900 BCE (Denis Morin Archéologue 2016).

In 484/3 BCE a large deposit of silver was discovered in the area. the total amount of silver was some two hundred talents or 1.2 million drachmas. According to Camp "the drachmas was roughly a day's wage"(Camp 2002, 56). The Athenian statesmen Themistokles urged the state to invest the silver into a navy. The Athenians build 200 ships (triremes) which were crewed with 170 rowers. these vessels were instrumental to the Athenian success at the Battle of Salamis in 480 BCE.

Later in the 4th and 5th centuries BCE, the annual income from lead and silver from the district would be roughly 920 talents or 5,520,00 Attika drachmas according to Dr. Elias Konofagos. Each Attika drachma weighed about 4.36 grams. Coins minted in Attika had a high degree of purity. during the 4th and 5th centuries BCE the mines would account for approximately a quarter of the annual income for the Athenian state, with an annual output of 20,000 kilograms of silver and 8000 kilograms of lead.

The mines were abandoned in the first century BCE. the mines were reactivated in 1864 and mined for the lead by both French and Greek companies until 1978. The mines were finally stopped production in 1992. After which time the area is owned by the Greek Ministry of Culture. The site is now part of the Laurion Technological and Culture Park.