Post on 16-Jan-2016
The heavy price of Greek gold
Current stage of the project
Current stage of the project
Current stage of the project
Current stage of the project
Current stage of the project
Skouries on the map
ForestryTourismFarmingBeekeepingFishery
Environmental Impact Assessment
Environmental Impact Assessment
3,273 hectares (3,273,000 m2) of primeval forest
Endangered plants
Beech with Ilex aquifolium and Taxus baccata rich in epiphytes
Endangered and Threatened avifauna
Birds, reptiles (e.g. salamanders), jackals
Authorities that have expressed objections to the project
Environmental Council of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH)
Technical Chamber of Central Macedonia, Greece
Board of AUTH
Institute of Geology and Mineral Exploration
Faculty of Agriculture and Greek Forestry Society
Geological Association of Greece
Criticism on the project’s (approved) Environmental Impact Assessment
Flash smelting, Finnish Outotec
Application on copper sulphide ores (chalcopyrite)-> gold, copper, lead and iron.
Skouries:
Application on mixture chalcopyrite - arsenopyrite - pyrite mines of northeastern Halkidiki
Never applied in industrial scale for gold production.
No reported separation method.
CAN THE USE OF CYANIDE BE AVOIDED?
Criticism on the project’s (approved) Environmental Impact Assessment
Uncontrollable effects on the balance of the water resources of the wider region
- interruption of the flow of existing sources
- shutdown irrigation and water supply wells
- possible salinization of coastal aquifers.
Solid waste generation and
Risk of Arsenic generation
An image that traveled the world
Stratoni beach, 2010
Stratoni beach - Blue Flag?
What are the monitored parameters?
The Microbiological parameters monitored are:
1.Enterococci - Intestinal enterococci (cfu/100 ml)
2.Coliforms - Escherichia coli (cfu/100 ml)
The Visual parameters monitored are:
Tarry residues, glass, plastic, rubber or any other waste. The purpose of visual tracking is to control the presence of contaminants so that when such pollution, to take appropriate management measures including public awareness.
NO CONSIDERATION FOR HEAVY METALS!Source: Special Secretariat for Water
Interesting economic relations
The company
Brief history of the project
In 2003, assets of Cassandra Mines in Halkidiki previously owned by TVX HELLAS, are transferred to the Greek State for 11 million euros.
The state sells the mines to HELLAS GOLD S.A. for the same price without prior economic assessment of the assets and without an open competition.
The value of the minerals in Halkidiki is estimated at 15.5 billion euros.
In 2008 the European Commission finds the transaction to be in violation of EU competition rules and Greece is ordered to reclaim 15.3 million euros from Hellas Gold.
Greek Environment Minister Giorgos Papakonstantinou appeals to the court!
Brief history of the project
In July 2011, the Greek State approved the Environmental Impact Assessment. According to the Greek Mining Regulation:
the mining company has full possession of the mineral contained in the concessions granted and there are no royalties for the State
Hellas Gold enjoys tax relief and exception from damages from already existing mines in the region
any activity that disturbs mining is prohibited in designated mining areas
private land can be expropriated
any protection status for areas designated as protected by national and international conventions does not hold.
Examples of Canadian Mining Diplomacy Thrace, Greece – ElDorado Gold – 2013
Galicia, Spain - Edgewater Resources – 2013
Santa Rosa, Guatemala - Tahoe Resources – 2013
Morelos, Mexico: Esperanza Resources – 2013
Honduras: Mining Law Reform – 2010-2012
Philippines: TVI Pacific – 2011 – 2012
Costa Rica: Infinito Gold – 2010
Chiapas, Mexico: Blackfire Exploration – 2007-2010
Ecuador: Mining Law Reform – 2008-2009
Guatemala: Glamis Gold – 2004
Mining Watch Canada
Private Property - No trespassing
Public and Private Police Forces
Excessive presence of police forces & the attempt to criminalize the fight
Citizens kidnapped by police forces
Irrational use of chemicals (tear gas in schools, cars, houses)
Hundreds of residents (even young students) called to report to police
Phone calls transcripts between residents and local and international journalists used as judicial material criminal organization
Human rights violationsGreece: Need for investigation of police conduct towards residents of town objecting gold mining operation
uncontrollable use of chemicals
illegal DNA samples collection
denied access to a lawyer for ‘suspects’ of possible involvement in the arson attack on the work site of Hellas Gold
Hellas GoldCorporate Social Responsibility
As part of its CSR strategy, Hellas Gold is funding
the Aristotle Municipality and
the Greek police forces
Attempts to sponsor sport clubs of northern Greece.
Massive demonstrations to Save Skouries
Massive demonstrations to Save Skouries
International day of mobilization to save Skouries - London
International day of mobilization to save Skouries - Paris
International day of mobilization to save Skouries - Brussels
International day of mobilization to save Skouries - Amsterdam
Demonstration in support of gold mines