Massive local opposition to gold mining in Rodopi and Evros
A large number of citizens and local institutions gathered in Alexandroupoli to express their strong opposition to the proposed gold mining operations in Perama and Sapes. The public event, organized by the Interprefectural Committee of Rodopi and Evros against gold mining and metallurgy, took place at Warehouse 1 of the Alexandroupoli Port, in cooperation with the Municipalities of Alexandroupoli, Maroneia-Sapes, and Komotini, and under the auspices of the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.
The event was held in response to the recent reactivation of the company formerly known as Thrace Gold Mines, now renamed Thrace Mining, which remains a subsidiary of Eldorado Gold. The company has recently launched a series of donations and partnerships, while its CEO, Mr. Leonidas Bakouras, has been vocal in promoting the investment as a "one-way street" for the region, referring to the project as an opportunity. He also announced that an updated Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will be submitted in the coming months.
In opposition, the Interprefectural Committee has launched new initiatives at social, political, and scientific levels to refute the company’s long-standing claims about the economic benefits of gold mining and to highlight the serious environmental damage such activities would cause — both during the operations and long after the company has left the region.
"Sole Concern: Protecting the Region"
The event was moderated by Ms. Roula Tsirtsidou, President of the Alexandroupoli Bar Association, who has been involved in this cause since 2000. She emphasized that the committee aims to shed light on the issue with scientific evidence and social responsibility, warning that repeated attempts to promote this project threaten to disrupt the region's social and environmental fabric.
She stressed that the Interprefectural Committee is independent of political parties and is committed solely to protecting the local area.
Representatives of the Orthodox Church and regional officials also voiced support. Evros Deputy Governor Mr. Evangelos Poulilios declared that the Region stands firmly against this so-called investment, warning those trying to “buy off” consciences that they will not succeed. “This company resorts to buying people’s support because they cannot convince the people of the region that this investment will bring true development,” he said. “No matter what they try, we will not allow this project to proceed.”
Local Authorities United Against Mining
Alexandroupoli Mayor Mr. Yiannis Zampoukis emphasized the need for scientific backing to counter the mining company’s arguments. “Those in Athens making decisions for us without us must understand this is not development, it is underdevelopment,” he said, warning against turning the region into an “energy and mining dump.”
Maroneia-Sapes Mayor Mr. Apostolos Ioannou reaffirmed his municipality’s consistent opposition to gold mining since 2000. “The current administration, aligned with the will of its citizens, remains firmly opposed to any form of extraction, at any time or by any means,” he said.
Representing the Municipality of Komotini, Mr. Athanasios Lapatas, President of the C. Karatheodori organization, declared: “For 25 years, every Municipal Authority in Komotini has clearly opposed the attempts of gold seekers to undermine our present and our children's future. Gold mining is not a model of sustainable development and does not align with the needs and priorities of our society.”
He added that Thrace’s natural wealth ensures a high quality of life, and “it is not for sale, not to be surrendered, nor to be costed in backroom deals.”
Environmental Devastation Ahead
Distinguished scientists presented the environmental, social, and economic consequences of the proposed mining operations. Dr. Kyriakos Arikas, former associate professor of Mineralogy and Petrology at the University of Hamburg, focused on the Perama site, which is the company's initial target.
Using visuals from previous EIAs, Dr. Arikas explained that gold extraction at the site would involve recovering trace amounts of gold — often less than 1 gram per ton — requiring large-scale excavation that would drastically alter the landscape. He warned that the subsequent metallurgical processing would use vast amounts of toxic chemicals, including cyanide.
These toxic residues, he explained, would be stored in massive tailing ponds, often in nearby streams, posing a major environmental hazard, especially in case of failure. “Gold mining operations are visible from space and amount to ecological devastation,” he noted, pointing out that profits flow to wealthy industrialized nations while toxins and industrial waste remain in the host countries.
Dr. Arikas concluded: “The local community must not consent to this project. We must prioritize the vital interests of the entire population. Today’s generation neither should nor has the right to mortgage the region’s future.”
