segment of the Carpathian Mountains, in south-central Slovakia. The mountains extend (west-east) for about 90 miles (145 km) between Zvolen and Košice and rise to 4,846 feet (1,477 m) in Stolica. They are noted for their mineral resources, especially high-grade iron ore, which is important to the Slovak economy. The mountains give rise to the Ipel and Slaná rivers, and the ice caverns of Dobšiná are on their northern slopes.