MeRA25 calls for cancellation of gold mining plans in Şapçı
Greece’s MeRA25 – United Front of the Left has called for the immediate withdrawal of a government decision granting mining rights in Sapes (Sapes), Rhodope, to Metalleutiki Thraki, renewing political opposition to gold mining in Western Thrace.
In a statement titled “Resistance against gold prospectors, from Skouries to Thrace,” the party criticised the Environment and Energy Ministry’s decision to directly lease exploration and exploitation rights for the public E5 mining area, which covers 18.13 square kilometres. The site is located near existing mining concessions in Perama, in the Evros region.
MeRA25 argued that the decision advances plans for mineral extraction despite opposition from local communities, scientific organisations and local authorities. It called for the government to revoke the decision and permanently abandon gold mining plans opposed by residents.
PARTY QUESTIONS GOVERNMENT’S POSITION
The party also pointed to remarks by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Komotini (Komotini) in November 2025, when he reportedly said that no investment would proceed without the consent of the local community.
According to MeRA25, the government’s latest decision contradicts that assurance. The party said the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace’s regional council and the Municipal Council of Soufli had unanimously opposed the mining plans.
The party’s criticism comes amid wider opposition to gold mining projects in northern Greece. Drawing a parallel with Skouries in Halkidiki, MeRA25 referred to a protest and concert held in Ierissos on Friday, October 9, which it said attracted thousands of people.
CALL FOR AN ALTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT MODEL
MeRA25 argued that the development of Thrace should not depend on mining activities that, in its assessment, could threaten water resources, forests, agricultural land and existing livelihoods.
Instead, it called for greater support for agriculture, livestock farming, beekeeping, local production and public infrastructure, presenting these sectors as the basis for an alternative regional development strategy.
The party said it stands with residents opposing gold mining and demanded three measures: immediate withdrawal of the ministerial decision concerning the E5 mining area in Sapes, a definitive end to gold mining plans rejected by local communities, and a development strategy centred on residents’ needs, environmental protection and sustainable production.
The statement represents MeRA25’s political position on the mining plans. The environmental risks cited by the party are presented as its concerns and arguments, rather than as independently established findings in the statement.
