 The Røros area has been used by the Southern Sami people for reindeer herding throughout history.The area is well-known for its copper mines, and Røros is one of Norway's two nationally significant mining towns with activity starting in the 17th century (the other one being the "silver-town" Kongsberg, see Kongsberg Silver Mines).The town of Røros was burned to the ground in 1678 and 1679 by the Swedish Army during the Scanian War.