tion of a further 90 tons of gold in Perama, Evros
and Sappes, Rodopi. According to Mr. Maniatis, a
mineral priority is the exploitation of confirmed
deposits of almost 420 tons of gold in Macedonia
and Thrace. Hellas Gold SA is investing €1.5 bil-
lion, creating 1,200 direct and 6,000 indirect jobs.
In regard to uranium ore deposits, the Minister
noted that, according to IGME data, there is a
total of 1,200 tons in Paranesti, Drama; however,
in terms of pure uranium this quantity is not suffi-
cient to justify any further interest.
The Deputy Minister has also revealed that,
based on the existing geological, geophysical and
drilling data, there are two areas of interest in
regard to the exploration of hydrocarbon fuel
deposits. The first area lies in Western Greece
(Ionian Sea, Epirus, Northwest Peloponnese,
Gulf of Patras) and the second in the Libyan Sea
and the wider region of the South Aegean, the so-
called Herodotus basin, the central and north
parts of which lie within Greek territorial waters.
He claimed, though, that deposit estimates which
are solely based on geological structures may be
myths and fables about Greece’s mineral
resources.
According to research carried out by the Institute of
Geology & Mineral Exploration (IGME) and evoked
by Mr. Maniatis, measurable deposits of metal ores
are estimated at approximately €38 billion in current
prices, albeit over a 30-year span. Mining employs
more than 23,000 workers, while another 100,000
people are indirectly employed.
The Ministry is elaborating a new national strate-
gic framework for the utilization of mineral
resources, which will be realized in the coming
months and will be tabled to parliament.
Moreover, it has completed the updated Quarry
Register, finished public consultation for the new
Code of Mining and Quarrying Activities that will
soon be enacted as a joint ministerial decision,
while the completion of Greece’s Mining Land
Registry is expected soon.
IGME will proceed to the systematic research of
12 deposits containing a total of 60 tons of gold in
various areas in Kilkis and Serres. Various
investors have expressed interest for the exploita-
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