The recent event in Lavrio, organized by the Association of Mining Enterprises (SME) to mark its centenary, focused on the strategic management of Greece’s mineral wealth, both during active mining and after the completion of extraction activities.
Aristotelis Aivaliotis, Secretary General of Energy and Mineral Resources, stressed the state’s responsibility to rationally manage its mineral resources, which are vital to national wealth. He warned that careless or shortsighted rejection of these resources could have severe long-term consequences for the country’s development.
Kostas Giazitzoglou, president of the Association, pointed out the significant potential for Greece to utilize its abundant mineral resources. However, he emphasized that the country’s ability to tap into this potential depends on overcoming existing obstacles, especially in the face of Europe’s current reliance on external sources for critical raw materials. He urged that efforts to close this gap should not be delayed and should focus on reducing bureaucratic barriers.
Aivaliotis also highlighted the importance of preserving Greece’s mining heritage, announcing plans to develop a framework for the restoration, preservation, and promotion of former mining sites. This initiative aims to create alternative uses for these areas, a challenging yet innovative project that requires significant infrastructure and planning. The goal is to safeguard Greece’s mining heritage, while fostering sustainable “soft” development of these sites.
