EU strategy. to drastically reduce carbon dioxide (CO₂) through the Green Deal is inextricably linked to minerals such as copper, cobalt and lithium. In its study, the International Energy Agency characterizes copper as the cornerstone of all electricity-related technologies, predicting that over the next two decades, demand for copper will grow by more than 40%, and for rare earth metals by 60-70% for nickel and cobalt and almost 90% lithium.

Greece, with its rich mineral resources, has historically been an important international center for the mining industry, and northeastern Chalkidiki is one of the most important pillars of gold production on a global scale and a reference point in the development potential of Northern Greece.

Today, the region has a strong mining potential with over 1 million tons of copper reserves. Along with rich deposits of gold, silver and base metals such as lead and zinc, the northeastern region of Halkidiki is experiencing industrial activity that could not only catalyze European targets for new, environmentally friendly technologies, but also put the region on the same track. of the highest places with the average income in the country and the lowest unemployment rate.

A significant percentage of it mineral wealth site is located at the Kassandra mines, which the company operates and develops Greek gold. it’s 2ⁱⁿ increasing foreign direct investment in the country with numerous benefits both nationally and locally. Particularly in a world-class porphyry deposit The proven reserves of Skouries are 779,000 tons of copper and 3.8 million ounces of gold. that, once the investment is completed and production begins at the mine, it will contribute to closing the supply gap for critical metals such as copper. In addition, investments can make Greece 3rd gold producing country in Europe with an annual production of 215,000 ounces of gold together with Sweden (260,421 ounces) and Finland (247,560 ounces) and promote self-sufficiency and sustainability of the European supply chaintowards EU independence from third countries.

Investments with sustainability and social security criteria

The company’s new investment plan provides for additional investments $1.9 billion and creation 3000 permanent and well-paid direct job, The estimated income of the Greek state is 2 billion euros.more than 191 million euros in mining fee revenue which will be addressed to the local community, as well as additional investments in local social responsibility projects in the amount of 80 million dollars which will be invested upfront to strengthen local development and the economy.

The implementation of the investment plan is in full swing in accordance with the Strategic Roadmap presented by Hellinikos Krisos. At the beginning of September, another milestone for investment was successfully completed with the signing of a mandate with Greek banks for a syndicated loan of 680 million euros, which took another decisive step towards the resumption of construction in Skouries.

The mining projects of Ellinikos Chrysos are developed in accordance with international sustainable development practices. In this direction, the company applies Best available technology reduce your ecological footprintthe main of which is the Dry Deposit (dehydration) of mining residues, at the same time it cleans up areas burdened by the practices of previous decades and properties (in this program, the company has invested more than 100 million euros to date), with the aim of returning the area to the local community to its former natural state after the end of mining activities.