Veselo-Ivanivskyi Iron-Ore Quarry

The Veselo-Ivanivskyi quarry is one of the oldest iron-ore pits in Zhovti Vody and a striking reminder of the city's mining history. Industrial iron-ore extraction began here in 1895, and the Veselo-Ivanivskyi mine produced up to 3.5 million tonnes of ore a year. Uranium ore was later found in the local deposits, which led to the founding of the Eastern Mining and Processing Plant. The worked-out pit is about 300 metres deep. Its sheer walls glow in shades of yellow, red and white, and its slopes are gradually being taken over by trees. Mine headframes rise above the rim, forming an industrial panorama popular with photographers. According to legend, Cossack fortifications stood in this area during the 1648 battle. There is no equipped viewing platform, so take great care near the edge of the cliffs.