The environmental permit for Thrace zeolite has been approved by Lithoxos S.A.
On 5 June 2020, the decision to approve the environmental conditions for the extraction of zeolite in Thrace by ZEOLITHOS PETROTON S.A. was announced ‘O Lithoxos’ in Petrota, Nea Orestiada.
The decision was published on the ‘Diaugia’ transparency portal on 3 June 2020 and concerns the operation of a quarry covering an area of 29 stremmata in the ‘Palioklissi’ area.
In an interview, the chairman of the local company, V. Sotiroudis, told the newspaper ‘I Gnomi’ that the company’s aim is to succeed and set up a processing plant to provide employment for the local community.
“This is a very positive development, one we have been waiting for for some time,” emphasised Mr Sotiroudis, noting that the approval for this particular plot concerns privately owned fields, which were purchased by the Petrotia-based company.
“There are further steps that need to be taken, the most important of which is the establishment of our own zeolite processing plant, so that we can create jobs and, more generally, bring benefits to our local area. We will not be able to set up such a plant on our own, but we have certain programmes in mind and have already submitted our proposals.”
The company is awaiting the relevant approvals for other sites in the area, which is rich in zeolite deposits. It has submitted all the necessary documents to the relevant authorities and the technical study is already underway; this will be submitted to the relevant bodies so that ‘Lithoxoos’ can obtain its first mining licence.
Sources: Lithoxoos S.A. and the newspaper “I Gnomi”
Read the full decision below