The Transactions of Minerals between Portugal and Germany

[António Fragoeiro]

On September 1st,1939, the portuguese government issued a statement with the title" The neutral Position of Portugal on the european conflict". This statement was highly aclamated by the british, thus putting an end to fears of portugal joining the war on the german side, due to the friendship between António Salazar and Adolf hitler.
From 1939-1944, was the golden age of mineral trades of "Volframio" between portugal and germany. Portugal traded Volframio for iron, paper and mining equipment. On March 1944 Churcill wrote to Salazar,requesting the cease of all trades of any kind.
This Had very serious repercussions to the portuguese economy, with this started the decline of a few of the mines.
Panasqueira Mines was the most well known of the them all, much because of the high intensity of work and also because of the very small german comunity that lived on its outskirts.
Here are a few photos of the panasqueira mines and a few of its remains.
This mine is still in use today.
Cheers.
Nuno

[António Fragoeiro]

Iv contacted The Covilhâ city hall, and they told me that documents from this transactions still exist today and were never studied.
When i have the time, ill try to go there and take a look at them.
Its about 250km away, from where i live.
Cheers.
Nuno