Court says Skouries mine project can proceed
The Council of State rejected Wednesday two more appeals by Halkidiki residents against gold mining in the Skouries forest.
Greece’s highest administrative court ruled that the project, managed by Hellas Gold, could proceed even though it is taking place in a forest, which would normally be a protected area under the law.
The court’s fifth section found that the state’s decision to hand the mining company a 300-hectare area of the forest is legal as it is directly linked to mining activities.
The court has ruled in the company’s favor on three previous occasions despite much opposition to the scheme from locals and activists, who say it will cause significant environmental damage.
