Renewed Activity by “Thrakis Mines” in Thrace
Mining operations by Thracean Mines (a subsidiary of Eldorado) have resumed with intensity in Sykorrachi, near Sappes in Rhodope, and in Perama, Alexandroupoli. The struggle against gold extraction in these areas stretches back decades — even before the turn of the millennium.
Thrace holds a unique place in the ongoing resistance to gold mining and metallurgy: here, the opposition is unanimous. From the military, the church, and security forces to all political parties, scientists, medical associations, the Democritus University of Thrace, regional and local governments, environmental organizations, and citizens’ collectives — everyone stands united.
We speak with:
– Theodosia Dragoumani – Environmental scientist with a Master’s in Environmental Biology from the University of the Aegean. She works at the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia–Thrace, focusing on environmental permitting and spatial planning. A committed activist, she’s a member of the Rodopi Ecological Group, the traditional seed-saving initiative “Sporites of Rodopi,” and the Komotini Mountaineering Club. She is also actively involved in sustainable waste management from households and farming.
– Anestis Stratiadis – Retired mathematics teacher from Komotini, founding member of the Rodopi Ecological Group since 1990 and a core member of the Inter-Prefectural Committee of Rodopi–Evros against gold mining since 2000. He, too, is a member of the Komotini Mountaineering Club.
As forest expert Mr. Demeridis has pointedly noted in an article: “Producing just one kilo of gold requires 700 tons of fresh water for cyanidation.”
Stay tuned – and thank you for listening.