Grece’s high court will reportedly side with a major northern Greece mining operator and against the relevant ministry, determining that the latter delayed approval for technical studies at the gold mines in Skouries and Olympiada.
The development is expected to overturn a snap decision by the radical leftist SYRIZA government last week — a day before PM Alexis Tsipras said he was resigning and opting for …snap elections.
Opposition to the gold mining operation in Skouries, operated by Canadian multinational El Dorado’s Greek subsidiary, Hellas Gold, was a standing position by SYRIZA when in the opposition. That opposition, however, wavered once SYRIZA rose to power and was even overturned when the Tsipras government delivered and signed a third bailout memorandum where privatizations are specifically cited.
According to reports, the Council of State, will accept the motion by Hellas Gold. The decision is expected to be published in a matter of hours or on Friday.
Expectedly, such a development would be considered a debacle for then SYRIZA Minister Panos Skourletis, who signed a decision last week ordering the company to temporarily cease operations at the gold mine. He cited problems with the technical studies as the reason.
Company executives said the expected CoS decision is another vindication for the mining operation. Conversely, circles close to the leftist minister said they were “studying” the decision, with an announcement pending.