“Metalleia Thraki” participated in the development conference ET Forum, organized by the newspaper Eleftheros Typos in Alexandroupoli (11/06/2025). The company’s General Manager, Mr. Leonidas Bakouras, participated as a speaker in the panel discussion titled:
“Economy, Entrepreneurship, and Financial Instruments – Showcasing a New, Innovative, and Sustainable Model of Development for the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (EMT), through the Primary Sector, Tourism, Culture, and Development Infrastructure.”
Also participating in the panel were Mr. Nikos Papathanasis, Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance; Mr. Georgios Broufas, Vice Rector of Innovation at Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH); and Mr. Georgios Koumparakis, Chief Commercial Officer of the Mesogeios Group.
Responding to questions posed by the panel moderator, Mr. Giannis Tsaprounis, Mr. Bakouras emphasized the urgent need for genuine regional development in Greece—particularly in border regions such as Thrace. Citing relevant studies, he pointed out that Northern Greece sits atop a mineral wealth valued at €71 billion.
Referring to the current activities of “Thracean Mining,” Mr. Bakouras noted that the Environmental Impact Study (EIS) for the Perama project is currently in preparation, stating:
“More than 40 university professors are working on it through collaborations we have established with academic institutions and universities throughout Greece.”
Regarding these academic partnerships, he added:
“Our goal is for the Perama project to be backed by the scientific credibility and technical integrity of the academic community—above all, by the sensitivity they bring when working for the advancement of both Thrace and Greece as a whole.”
Financial Data from the Kassandra Mines
“Thracean Mining” operates as a subsidiary of Eldorado Gold, a Canadian company that has already invested over €3 billion in the Kassandra Mines located in Halkidiki.
Sharing key figures from the operation, Mr. Bakouras stated:
- “Eldorado Gold currently employs 2,500 workers in Halkidiki, a number expected to increase to 3,000 with full development of the Kassandre Mines by 2026.
- To date, the company has paid over €500 million in taxes and more than €1.5 billion to local suppliers.
- The Municipality of Aristotelis has received approximately €18 million in mining royalties over the past four years.”
He also referred to a published study by IOBE (Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research), which clearly indicates that over the next 20 years (2024–2044), the Kassandre Mines will significantly contribute to public revenue, the regional GDP of Central Macedonia, and the local economy of the broader Halkidiki area.
According to Mr. Bakouras, similar figures could apply to Thrace in a few years, provided that the Perama mine becomes operational. Naturally, a prerequisite for this is the submission and approval of the Environmental Impact Assessment, which will serve as “the mirror of the project—detailing all environmental and economic aspects.”
The company aims to complete the Environmental Impact Assessment within the designated timeline, so that it may form the basis for a structured dialogue with the local community, conducted through public consultation and founded on accurate, up-to-date data—not figures from 2001 or 2011.
Mr. Bakouras expressed optimism about the quality of the study, citing Eldorado Gold’s unwavering adherence to environmental laws and regulations, as well as the exceptional scientific competence of the university professionals involved.