The mining complex of Braçal includes the mines of Braçal, Malhada and of Coval da Mó and extends along the Mau river, on the slopes of the Braçal Mountain. This complex is the oldest Portuguese mining concession, registered with the number 1, and allowed the exploitation of one of the largest mineral deposits in the region of Aveiro. Its exploitation began in 1836 and finished in 1918. In 1943 it started again, extending to the mine of Malhada (further north) and remained in operation until the 60s, having about 1,000 workers. The mines of Braçal explored hydrothermal veins, rich in lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and silver (Ag), but lead was the main product extracted from this mining complex. It is now possible to visit the old foundry of the minning complex that existed here and several infrastructures, used to process the ore, which are in ruins now. The Mau river, which crosses the Mines of Braçal, is a tributary of the Vouga and has an incredible flora, where the forest is abundant and the ferns and the mosses paint the riverbed with greeny shades. Part of this river is channeled into artificial tunnels of stone and cement built by man.

Access to the point of interest: by car; easy