When was mining discovered?

Mining has been done for thousands of years. ancient Egypt mined and so did other cultures. The oldest salt mine in the world is in Poland and has been in use for thousand of years.

The so called bronze age began approximately 5000 -5500 years ago, it followed the Neolithic era during which stones and flints were used but no metals. In some parts of the world copper was mined and smelted after the Neolithic period and prior to the bronze age. Copper is a relatively soft metal and it was discovered that by adding tin to it it became stronger and this alloy is called bronze. It still used today especially to make fine sculpture.