Claim: Bălan, a town in Harghita County, Transylvania, Romania (a country located at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe), was the site of iron mining during the 16th century, and in 1785, copper deposits were discovered by János Opra.
Evidence: Bălan was the site of iron mining during the 17th century, but by 1702 the iron stores had been depleted.