Eldorado Gold Corporation has announced the successful production of its first copper-gold concentrate at the Skouries Project in northern Greece, marking a pivotal milestone in the project’s transition from construction to operational status. This achievement, reported on September 8, 2026, signals a significant step towards commercial production, which is anticipated to commence in the fourth quarter of 2026.
The initial concentrate was produced as part of the ongoing commissioning and ramp-up of the processing plant, following the introduction of the first ore to the crusher in July. The successful commissioning of critical plant systems—including crushing, grinding, flotation, and tailings thickening circuits—has laid the groundwork for this achievement. Currently, the ore stockpile exceeds 4.6 million tonnes above reserve grade, ensuring a robust foundation for the ramp-up and supporting over seven months of processing throughput and concentrate production.
George Burns, CEO of Eldorado Gold, described this moment as a defining milestone for the company, emphasising that the first concentrate production at Skouries represents the culmination of years of development and construction. He highlighted the project’s significance not only for Eldorado but also as one of the most substantial investments in Greece and one of Europe’s largest copper-gold projects. Alongside the McIlvenna Bay project in Saskatchewan, Skouries is set to transform Eldorado into a more diversified producer of precious metals and critical minerals, enhancing its production base and free cash flow generation.
The commissioning of key infrastructure has progressed steadily, with successful operations in crushing, grinding, flotation, tailings thickening, and concentrate thickening systems. Temporary on-site power generation is currently supporting early operations and ramp-up until the connection to the national power grid is completed, which is expected to occur in September 2026, pending final inspections and testing by the Greek transmission authority.
The Skouries Project is projected to yield an average of 140,000 ounces of gold and 67 million pounds of copper annually over its operational lifespan, positioning Eldorado Gold for significant growth and long-term value creation in the region. The company expresses pride in its collaborative efforts with the Greek government, local communities, and other stakeholders, aiming to deliver lasting benefits for Greece and all involved parties for decades to come.
