New prospects for the use of zeolite
New prospects for the use of zeolite | Zeolife.gr
New prospects for the exploitation of zeolite.
The first exploration licence is set to be issued for Petrota in Evros – the challenge is to process it locally to ensure added value.
1 July 2014 is now regarded as a ‘landmark’ date for the future of the much-discussed exploitation of zeolite reserves in Thrace. This is the date on which the Ministry of the Environment signed the first exploration licence for zeolite, covering an area in the Petrota region of Evros. To date, the exploitation of this valuable mineral has been ‘hampered’ by a lack of political will on the part of successive governments, resulting in our country importing zeolite products in large quantities, mainly from neighbouring countries such as Bulgaria and Turkey.
Zeolite reserves in Thrace are estimated at 80 million tonnes, whilst annual global consumption does not exceed 4 million
It now appears that a new chapter is beginning for the zeolite industry in our country. Professor and strategic adviser Mr Nikos Lygeros expressed his optimism following the latest developments, during his visit to Komotini on Monday, as a guest of the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace and the Municipality of Komotini. Mr Lygeros predicted that a similar outcome would occur in Kirkí, in neighbouring Evros, where the Municipality of Alexandroupoli is seeking a licence for exploration and extraction. Given the latest developments, the prospect of utilising zeolite for local development and job creation appears more promising than ever. It is worth noting that reserves in the Thrace region are estimated at 80 million tonnes, whilst global annual consumption does not exceed 4 million.
On the market, 63 grams of processed zeolite costs 24 euros, whilst the cost of one metric tonne of unprocessed zeolite is just 300 euros
New prospects for the exploitation of zeolite | Zeolife.gr
The crucial factor, of course, once these quantities have been extracted, is their processing here, so that the product gains added value. It is worth noting that, currently on the market, 63 grams of processed zeolite costs 24 euros, whilst the cost of one tonne of unprocessed zeolite amounts to just 300 euros. It is therefore essential that local authorities and industry stakeholders make the necessary preparations to ensure that the extraction of the high-quality zeolite reserves we have in Thrace is followed by their maximum possible utilisation. “The barrier of political will has been broken,” Mr Lygeros remarked at the outset, “and what matters is that we now have something of a precedent, meaning that others can also look for and identify exploitable areas, because we have around 10 deposits in total.” “What interests us in Thrace is also the issue of processing,” he was quick to emphasise, “that is, to achieve vertical integration rather than simply selling raw materials; instead, we should be selling a finished product, which can be incorporated into other products, thereby providing us with greater added value.”
Author: Thomas Stamoulis
e-mail: paratiritis.stamoulis@gmail.com