Eldorado Gold, along with its Greek subsidiaries, Hellas Gold and Thrace Minerals, participated in the 10th Delphi Economic Forum, held from April 9 to 12. During the event, senior executives represented us in key discussions and targeted interviews focused on investments, the economy, and the sustainable development of the mining sector.
George Burns, President & CEO, Eldorado Gold
At the 10th Delphi Economic Forum, discussions focused on global geoeconomic developments and their impact on the mining industry, with special emphasis on Eldorado Gold’s investment in Greece. Eldorado Gold President and CEO, George Burns, highlighted the role of trade tariffs, political uncertainty, and geopolitical tensions in driving up costs and reshaping the global strategy for critical raw materials. He emphasized Greece’s potential as a country with rich but largely untapped mineral resources, citing the Olympias, Skouries, and Perama Hill projects as examples of sustainable development with significant economic and social value.
George Burns underlined the importance of faster permitting procedures, leveraging the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act, and adopting innovative technologies like artificial intelligence and electrification to improve efficiency and safety in mining operations. He reaffirmed Eldorado Gold’s long-term commitment to Greece, expressing optimism for the country’s ability to attract further investment through public tenders and exploration licensing. Ultimately, he positioned Greece as a future hub for responsible mining and a strategic player in Europe’s evolving raw materials value chain.
Leonidas Bakouras, General Manager, Thracean Mining
Leonidas Bakouras stated that Greece has a unique opportunity to become one of Europe’s largest gold producers through the development of the Perama Hill gold deposit in Thrace. Eldorado Gold’s investment in the Skouries project already signals strong confidence in the country’s untapped mineral wealth. The investment in Perama is expected to significantly boost regional development, substantially increasing the local GDP, generating considerable annual revenues for the Greek State as well as for all involved municipalities, while also contributing to the reversal of population decline in the Thrace region.
Environmental studies are currently underway in collaboration with leading Greek universities, with the aim of submitting the new environmental terms by the end of 2025 and securing approval in the first half of 2026.
In his interview with Naftemporiki, Leonidas Bakouras stressed that Greece could become one of the leading gold-producing countries in Europe if the investment in Perama Hill proceeds, the environmental study of which is already underway, aiming for approval by 2026.
Christos Balaskas, President, Hellas Gold
Christos Balaskas focused on geopolitical developments, the impact of trade wars, and investment opportunities in mineral resources. Mr. Balaskas highlighted the strategic value of projects like Skouries as a blueprint for sustainable mining and regional development. Challenges related to permitting and the need for more efficient regulatory processes were addressed, along with the importance of social license to operate and transparency. Technological advancements — including artificial intelligence and electric equipment — were also discussed as key drivers of innovation in the European mining industry.
In his interview with CNN Greece, Mr. Balaskas emphasized the importance of Eldorado Gold’s investment in the Kassandra Mines, stressing the need to utilize Greece’s mineral wealth and establish a stable institutional framework to attract foreign investments. He noted that Greece can help reduce European dependence on critical raw materials, particularly in metals like gold and copper.