Anti-authority activists protest gold exploration in Perama Hill
Members of Greece’s anti-authoritarian movement staged a protest on Monday, October 27, at Perama Hill in Meriç, where a subsidiary of Eldorado Gold, Thrace Mines, is conducting exploratory drilling.
In a statement posted on an anti-authoritarian website, the protesters said discussions with workers revealed that they were aware of the environmental damage the project could cause, yet still participated. They claimed the site manager attempted to justify the project by citing prior restoration efforts in Halkidiki, which the activists called “unsuccessful.”
The group described the intervention as an initial reconnaissance aimed at raising awareness. They also distributed leaflets opposing the mines in nearby villages Perama and Kardamo.
In their statement, the activists denounced what they called the “gold rush” in the region and criticized government policies, corporate interests, and media outlets for promoting mining projects under the guise of economic growth and job creation. They highlighted the environmental risks of gold extraction, including chemical pollution, toxic waste, water diversion, and long-term degradation of farmland and natural resources.
The group warned that these mining activities threaten local communities, the agricultural sector, and regional ecosystems, while benefiting a small number of investors. They framed their protest as part of a broader, decades-long resistance in Thrace and other areas of Greece, including Halkidiki, against gold mining and environmental exploitation.
The activists concluded their statement by reaffirming support for local residents opposing mining operations and calling for a halt to all gold extraction in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.
