Greece is increasingly establishing itself as a significant player in the European mining industry, particularly in the extraction of critical mineral raw materials essential for various industries. An infographic detailing the current landscape of mining and exploration operations across Greece reveals a diverse array of projects that underscore the country’s potential in this sector.
The Halkidiki region is home to Hellas Gold, a subsidiary of Canada’s Eldorado Gold, which operates the Kassandra Mines. This includes the Skouries copper-gold project and the Olympias underground mine, which produces gold, silver, lead, and zinc. Additionally, Grecian Magnesite operates an open-cast magnesite mine and processing facility at Gerakini, contributing to Greece’s mineral output.
In Central Greece, specifically in the Fokida region, METLEN Energy and Metals (formerly Mytilineos) is engaged in bauxite mining and is set to commence gallium production, a critical mineral, at its facilities in 2025 and 2026. Notably, LARCO, the General Mining and Metallurgical Company, has entered special administration and liquidation processes, yet Greece remains the only EU country with significant exploitable reserves of nickel laterite deposits, estimated at around 200 million tonnes, with nickel grades between 0.9% and 1.4%, along with notable cobalt concentrations.
The Thrace region features the Perama Hill project, an epithermal gold-silver venture held by Hellas Gold and Eldorado Gold. Meanwhile, on the island of Milos, METLEN acquired bauxite assets previously owned by Imerys of France in 2024, and the island continues to provide industrial minerals such as perlite, bentonite, and kaolin.
In the Peloponnese, Rockfire Resources of the UK and Hellenic Minerals IKE are advancing the Molaoi zinc-lead-silver-germanium project, which is characterised as a VMS-style base metal deposit. Collectively, these operations underscore Greece’s strategic importance in supplying a variety of minerals, including gold, copper, silver, lead, zinc, bauxite, magnesite, gallium, and germanium. This positioning not only enhances Greece’s role in the European mining landscape but also highlights its commitment to sustainable resource development for a stronger future.
