Interview with Otanews.gr
“We strongly support dialogue and transparency because the citizens of Thrace must be informed about the details of our investment plan and our commitment to sustainable development,” explains Leonidas Bakouras, General Manager of Thracean Mining, in an interview regarding the development opportunities that the company’s investment plan could bring to the region of Thrace.
It is well known that Eldorado Gold and Thracean Mining aim to develop the deposit in Perama, Evros. Do you believe that local residents currently have access to all the necessary information to form a well-rounded view of the project?
What is widely known is our intent to implement our investment plan. In order to do so, a key prerequisite is the submission of a new Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which is currently being prepared, with its components assigned to universities across the country. This study will be submitted to the competent ministry and, following a decision by the authorities, it will be placed under public consultation, allowing everyone to express their views and enabling institutions to issue their opinions.
At present—precisely because the EIS is still being developed—it is premature for society to form a definitive judgment on the project, as the complete information about our updated design is not yet available. The data currently circulating is based on studies from 15 years ago. Any decision made without a proper presentation of the updated and comprehensive project design would not only undermine the image of Thrace as an investment destination but would also jeopardize its development potential.
How can the local community express its views?
The local community must absolutely have a voice and an opinion. We are attentive to citizens’ concerns. However, everyone should be aware that all questions will be addressed in the Environmental Impact Assessment. Once it is completed, there will be a detailed and thorough public discussion, and all questions will be answered.
Our project design is based on modern scientific developments in mining and aligns with the legal framework for environmental, biodiversity, and public health protection. The EIS rigorously examines all direct and indirect environmental impacts related to gold mining and metallurgy.
Is it not our duty to comply with the law? The law clearly states that any company holding a mining concession—such as the one at Perama—must prove beyond doubt that the project is environmentally and socially safe. That proof is provided through the EIS, which we are obliged to submit as soon as it is finalized. It would be unfair and counterproductive to judge or reject a study that is still in progress and has not even been publicly presented.
However, a previous Environmental Impact Assessment had been submitted in the past and was not approved.
First, it must be noted that the previous EIA was prepared approximately 15 years ago. Do you realize how much has changed since then? Both European and national legislation have imposed stricter environmental, climate, and risk management standards, especially in relation to climate change, biodiversity protection, and environmental safeguards.
Science and technology have also advanced rapidly, bringing new tools that significantly enhance environmental protection and safety, while minimizing or eliminating past risks.
The mining sector, in fact, is one of the first to adopt cutting-edge developments, and Eldorado Gold has demonstrated its ability to develop technologically advanced mining operations—not far from Thrace.
Just look at the Kassandra Mines in Halkidiki—they are a living example of the benefits a mining project can bring to a region and its economy, without compromising other local activities. A simple visit is enough to convince anyone of the value this operation has added to the area’s development prospects.
Do the projects in Halkidiki and Perama share common characteristics?
First and foremost, both projects carry the credibility and backing of Eldorado Gold. In addition, both are strategic mining projects that significantly elevate Greece’s position among European gold-producing nations.
Of course, the Skouries project in Halkidiki is at a far more advanced stage—production is expected to begin within months—and it offers a glimpse into the future of Perama. The safety protocols applied there will be replicated in Perama. For example, the Environmental Monitoring System in Skouries is one of the most advanced in Europe.
Most importantly, the project has provided strong economic momentum for the broader region, without negatively impacting pre-existing industries such as livestock farming, agriculture, tourism, forestry, or fishing.
If all this is true, why does skepticism persist toward the proposed Perama project in Thrace?
With full respect for the concerns of every individual, I question how reasonable it is to judge a project before it has even been formally presented. Rather than relying on informed argumentation, we often see outdated perceptions, fear-driven narratives, and emotional appeals that condemn the future of an entire region based on obsolete and inaccurate data.
My colleagues and I base our work on the technical expertise and proven experience of Eldorado Gold, as well as on the scientific integrity and objectivity of Greece’s academic institutions.
For us, informing the public is of the utmost importance. But when we say “informing,” we mean it in the fullest sense: everyone will have access to the complete body of information regarding our investment plan. You will see this clearly during the official presentation of our proposal.
As our ancient ancestors said: “Judge no one before you have heard both sides of the argument”.
Once the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)—currently being prepared by the university institutions we have partnered with—is finalized, it will become evident that we are genuine advocates of open dialogue, not merely passive announcers of our positions. We are committed to listening to all perspectives, especially those coming from scientific and technical bodies in Thrace, in order to form a well-rounded, evidence-based conclusion that serves the interests of society as a whole.
In fact, a sincere, evidence-based dialogue is one of the most meaningful ways to demonstrate our respect for the local community and the people of Thrace.
Through this dialogue, it will become clear to all that our investment plan represents a real development opportunity for the region and its residents—especially for young people who wish to remain in their homeland and build a secure future in Thrace, without compromising environmental integrity.