Examines the Mount Gabriel-type exploitation of sedimentary mineralization in the West Cork region of southwest Ireland. Considers the physical setting of the mines, their distribution, morphology, technology, dating, and cultural affinities. Mount Gabriel, the highest mountain of the Mizen Peninsula in southwest Cork, was the setting for extensive mining of surface copper beds during the closing stages of the Early Bronze Age. Recent radiocarbon dating of wood and charcoal from these sites confirms that the main period of mining activity on this mountain was between 1700-1500 cal. BC, making these the oldest copper mines presently known in northwest Europe. The importance of these sites lies not only in their antiquity, but in their unique preservation in upland blanket bog environments. A recent survey and excavation program culminated in the investigation of the mine 3/4 site on the eastern slopes of the mountain. The removal of a large peat-based infill deposit from mine 3 reveals an 11-m deep inclined opening, in which the transition from a strata-bound drift-mine to a cross-cutting tunnel was visible. Waterlogged sediments within this mine contained a large assemblage of roundwood fuel and wooden mining equipment, including a shovel, pick, wedges, lighting chips, and handles for the many stone hammers which were also found. The excavation of a large spoil mound outside this mine has provided important evidence on ore treatment in these operations, an important element of which involved the repeated crushing of rock using stone cobble hammers. Activity areas located on the periphery of this dump included further dressing floors, concentrations of broken stone tools, and a posthole structure with associated water trough.