The participation of the General Director of Thracean Mining, Leonidas Bakouras, in the GREEN DEAL 2025 conference
The utilization of Greece’s mineral wealth can provide the country with strong development prospects — one of the key conclusions that emerged from the GREEN DEAL conference, organized by the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE). The president of TEE, George Stasinos, stated that “the Green Deal and the new digital economy are now transforming together into a new reality, aiming for Resilience.”
Representing Eldorado Gold, Mr. Leonidas Bakouras, General Director of Thracean Mining, participated in the conference panel on “Energy and Mineral Resources.” During his remarks, Mr. Bakouras announced that this coming December, the Environmental Impact Assessment for the Perama mining and metallurgical project will be submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Energy. The EIA is being prepared in collaboration with leading Greek universities, and the project’s design aligns with international Best Available Practices.
Mr. Bakouras further emphasized the need for direct engagement with local communities and the importance of ensuring that they benefit from mining projects so that the positive impact becomes immediately visible. The policy of open, direct, and transparent dialogue with local communities is a cornerstone for Eldorado Gold — the parent company of “Hellas Gold,” which operates the Kassandra Mines in Halkidiki, as well as Thracean Mining.
Eldorado Gold is one of Greece’s largest foreign direct investors. As Mr. Bakouras noted, the Kassandra Mines currently employ over 3,500 people — a number expected to increase significantly in the coming years, along with the overall developmental footprint of the investment in the wider region, as confirmed by a related study from the Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE).
At the same time, both at the Kassandra Mines and the Perama project, an innovative environmental monitoring program will be implemented, featuring hundreds of sensors and advanced methods that demonstrate the modernization of mining operations — now fully aligned with the broader goal of achieving a “Green Transition.”
All details of the Perama project design will be thoroughly discussed during the Public Consultation process, which will begin following the submission of the Environmental Impact Assessment to the Ministry of Environment and Energy. The goal is for local communities to actively participate in the planning through inclusive and productive dialogue, as the Perama project represents a significant investment opportunity for the broader Thrace region. In the same context, informational meetings will also be held with local scientific institutions, while accessibility to all project-related information will be enhanced through specially designed Info Points currently under preparation.
Furthermore, the Perama mining–metallurgical project, through its Social Investment Program, strengthens the local social fabric by supporting initiatives, organizations, and infrastructure within the wider community.
The GREEN DEAL 2025 conference was held this year for the fifth consecutive time, and during its proceedings, government officials made it clear that the responsible and modern utilization of Greece’s mineral resources remains a national priority.