Greek Zeolite

Zeolite extraction sites in the Petrota-Trigono area of Orestiada, where vast reserves of high-quality natural zeolite have been identified, were visited by the newly elected Regional Governor of Eastern Macedonia – Thrace, Mr Giorgos Pavlidis, accompanied by the Deputy Regional Governor of Evros, Mr Dimitris Petrović, and regional councillors. “Our presence here, at the site where a rare rock formation has been discovered – a treasure for our country and for Europe, found in vast quantities – has three objectives,” noted Mr Pavlidis, and explained: “Firstly, to raise the profile of our Region’s natural zeolite, the Thracian Zeolite. Secondly, to ... Read more

The new Regional Governor of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace at the zeolite deposit in Petrota, Orestiada, on 17 August 2014.

Two New Democracy MPs from Thrace have accused officials of serving personal interests by failing to exploit Thrace’s zeolite reserves. They are Alexandros Kontos and Evripidis Stylianidis, former ministers, who do not, however, name the personal interests they are denouncing. At the same time, and after a three-year delay, the Greek courts have dismissed, on technical grounds, an appeal by the company concerned regarding the exploitation of zeolite in Thrace. Despite the fact that a public prosecutor’s investigation is calling for an inquiry into the responsibilities and omissions of former and current members of the government regarding the suspension of ... Read more

By bringing this issue to the fore, Greek zeolite is effectively mobilising the Greek authorities, not only because of the bureaucracy, but because certain factors relating to the environment and human health are of the utmost importance. Greek zeolite must set an example in this sector, because we have had enough of unacceptable licences being granted in our country in a bizarre manner, creating problems with irreversible consequences. Thrace and Macedonia are constantly under such pressure, and we want Greek zeolite s to be beyond reproach in terms of procedure as well. It is therefore indeed important that we closely ... Read more

Photographs from the Zeolite municipal vegetable garden in Alexandroupoli on 11 August 2014

The new phase for zeolite stems from a strategic combination of applications and licensing. The former demonstrate to producers in practical terms what zeolite offers in terms of product quality and increased production. The latter, with the first licence granted, are beginning to attract investment interest, and the number of candidates for deposit sites is increasing. This strategic combination is yielding its first results, and we have an ever-increasing amount of technical and scientific data. Thrace is at the heart of this collaboration and is demonstrating that it has taken the issue seriously, even at an institutional level. Applications on ... Read more

A question was put to the Ministers for the Environment, Finance, Development and Rural Development, as well as the Minister for Macedonia and Thrace, was tabled by New Democracy MPs Alexandros Kontos and Evripidis Stylianidis, raising the issue of the utilisation of zeolite in Thrace. As they state: One of the greatest opportunities for development in our country’s agricultural sector, as well as in other sectors, lies in the exploitation and use of zeolite, large deposits of which are found in the region of Thrace. Unfortunately, however, for procedural and legal reasons, as well as to serve personal interests, this ... Read more

Zeolite-grown vegetables, trees, flowers and vines by Grigoris Azoridis, grown from traditional seeds in Nea Orestiada, 4 August 2014

  Electron microscope image (x40,000) of zeolite (clinoptilolite) The best-known zeolite region in Greece is in the northern part of the Prefecture of Evros, with the zeolite formations extending into Bulgarian territory, where they are being extensively mined by a Greek company, whilst on Greek territory there is no mining activity whatsoever, as the Greek company’s efforts to acquire mining rights have become embroiled in a long-running legal disputeregarding the acquisition of exploitation rights. It should be emphasised here that extensive and successful research into the applications of Greek zeolites has been carried out by the Professor of Geology at ... Read more

Zeolite analysis – Kokkalo area. http://www.olympus-minerals.com/misc/213670.pdf

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 ... Read more

Greek Zeolite on the Komotini Municipality website – www.komotini.gr