Canada’s Eldorado Gold suspends Greek investments

DW — One of Greece’s largest foreign investors, Eldorado Gold of Canada, has said it is going to scrap further investments at it mines in the country. It complained about government delays in issuing permits and licenses.

Eldorado, which runs Greek subsidiary Hellas Gold, operates mines in northern Greece that have faced vehement opposition from parts of local communities on environmental grounds, with some authorities saying local forests would be decimated and groundwater could be contaminated.

Eldorado Gold has countered such arguments, emphasizing it is carrying out environmental cleanup work even of its predecessors and rejects accusations of pollution.

The Canadian firm said it would continue maintenance and environmental safeguards, but would make no further investment in three mines in the Halkidiki area and two projects in the province of Thrace.