Mine reopening plans spark backlash on Chios

“Do you know the history of these mines? Dozens of people lost their lives in the 1950s due to the company’s greed and lack of protective measures. Back then, they assured people there was no problem. When workers started falling ill, they were blamed for not being careful. With such a past, isn’t it natural for fear and distrust to exist?”

Sotiris Paradisis is the principal of the Volissos middle and high school in northern Chios in the eastern Aegean. In this part of Chios, memories of the antimony mines – a rare mineral crucial to the defense industry – are still vivid. A cenotaph erected in 2004 by local associations and bearing the names of 24 miners who perished in Keramos stands as undeniable proof. The remnants of the mining tunnels and the ruins of the company’s administrative headquarters still mark the landscape.

“Keramos, Lardato and Kamini were once thriving mining villages, but they became deserted when the mines closed. Today, Keramos has barely five permanent residents,” say Konstantina Madianou and Sofia Kapiri, residents of Volissos. “If the mine reopens, we’ll have to leave too – to protect our health.”

The concerns voiced by these Volissos residents reflect the broader sentiment on the Aegean island. The planned reopening of the antimony mine has met with widespread opposition. A total of 117 local associations have signed a protest letter, and two appeals against the Ministry of Environment’s tender have been submitted to the Council of State, the country’s top administrative court, set for discussion in May.

For the Environment Ministry, the issue of Chios’ antimony reserves dates back about a decade. “During Yannis Maniatis’ tenure as minister, the Hellenic Survey of Geology and Mineral Exploration (HSGME) mapped the country’s mineral wealth,” explains Alexandra Sdoukou, former deputy minister of environment and energy, who handled the Chios case. The survey resulted in a map with 114 pins, she says, each marking a potential resource site.

“HSGME then selected 20 locations based on economic value, maturity and long-term potential. The findings were shelved until 2019, when the government decided to initiate projects in select areas, including Molaoi in Laconia and Chios. This triggered an internal consultation process, gathering input from relevant authorities. Once positive recommendations were received, we could have proceeded directly with the tender, but given past opposition in other regions, we chose to engage with the local community first.”

An open discussion was held in July, with Sdoukou and other government officials in attendance. “The meeting lasted five hours. There were serious, well-founded questions, but also individuals intent on stirring unrest. I believe two thirds of the attendees listened with an open mind,” Sdoukou estimates. “Following that event, we didn’t immediately proceed with the tender. Instead, we put it to public consultation in September, gathered feedback and consulted experts, including professors from the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). After months of silence, we assumed concerns had been adequately addressed. Then, in January, we announced the first phase of the tender – the call for expressions of interest – and suddenly, there was an uproar. Even the mayor, who had initially supported the project, publicly opposed it. Protests erupted and opposition intensified.

“Personally, I believe we answered all the questions properly. We even announced in Parliament the formation of a second, independent scientific committee (excluding the Ministry of Environment and Energy) to assess environmental safety and public health risks. It’s frustrating that we have such significant mineral wealth but hesitate to exploit it because of opposition. Let’s at least wait for the studies from the potential contractors before rejecting the project outright.”

However, Giannis Makridakis, a writer and Volissos resident, is still deeply skeptical of the ministry’s approach. “Ms Sdoukou came to Chios with government officials and a mining company representative. They promised to return as many times as needed to address the community’s justified concerns. They assured us that if the local population did not consent, the project would not move forward.

“They showed us photos of other antimony mines, claiming that everything would be done underground. Then, without any further dialogue, the tender was announced. We saw a project proposal that was vastly different in terms of scale and character from what was initially presented. Despite unanimous opposition from local organizations, the ministry broke its promises and is pushing forward with the process.”

‘Severe consequences’

“Open-pit mining is the worst thing that could happen to us – and despite the initial promises, this now appears to be the plan,” warns Maria Fragaki, a mining expert. “We’ve seen this happen in other countries where antimony is mined, such as Slovakia. It starts with deforestation and land clearing, followed by the excavation of large conical pits that drain the entire area. Then come the mining and processing stages, bringing severe consequences. Many argue that technology will mitigate the impact, but technology primarily enhances production automation – it does not change mining methods or reduce environmental damage. Until now, China and Russia handled the ‘dirty work.’ Now, it’s Europe’s turn.”

One of the island’s associations that took a public stance on the issue was the Chios Medical Association. “This concerns us because it directly affects public health and environmental protection,” says Giannis Georgiadis, the association’s president. “We didn’t want to speak without proper knowledge, so we conducted thorough research. As the literature shows, antimony mining has negative effects on both public health and the environment. In our official statement, we stressed that these risks must be carefully considered.”

‘Outright rejection’

Even associations that are not entirely opposed to the mining project seem to distrust the enforcement of strict regulations and government oversight. “The island is in turmoil,” says Giorgos Toumpos, president of the Chios Masticha Growers Association, the largest production association on the island. “Everyone has their own theory, creating a cloud of uncertainty and toxicity in the community. It is crucial for the municipality or regional authority to fund an independent expert – someone with credibility – to closely monitor the situation and advise us on the best course of action, weighing both the benefits and the risks.”

“The antimony issue has overshadowed everything else on the island,” says Georgios Kakaris, a hiker and geographer. “As a result, our efforts to have Chios recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark have been pushed aside. This was a different development proposal, one based on nature and culture – both of which align with the island’s identity.”

Mayor Ioannis Malafis is attempting to remain neutral amid the growing controversy. “We invited the Ministry of Environment and Energy to come and address the community. We set clear red lines regarding environmental protection, public health and water resources. We requested answers to all questions raised by citizens and the municipal council – some remain unanswered. In the municipal committee, we stated that we do not consent to the mining project because not all concerns have been addressed. In my view, the tender was announced prematurely; the conditions are not yet suitable.”

However, Malafis avoids giving a definitive “yes” or “no” on the municipality’s stance. “I believe Chios has suffered in the past from outright rejection, as seen with the new airport project, which never moved forward. The first phase of the tender involves a five-year research period with minimal interventions to determine whether the deposit is commercially viable. For both the research phase and any potential mining operations, environmental impact studies will need to be submitted. The state will receive royalties, while the municipality will be compensated. Around 100-120 people will move to the area just for the research phase of the project. These are not insignificant factors – they must be carefully considered. Regardless of whether the project proceeds, our priority should be to prevent division within Chios’ society and to engage in a serious, fact-based dialogue rather than outright rejections.”

A few days ago, the first-phase tender envelopes were opened, revealing four companies that had expressed interest. “Antimony mining on Chios is not economically viable. However, it is being pushed forward because of its importance to the defense industry,” explains Ioannis Stevis, journalist and director of Astraparis.gr. “The entire process was fast-tracked, with insufficient public information. It’s no coincidence that no organization has fully endorsed the project, not even the municipality, which is supposedly supporting it. I believe both the government and local authorities find themselves in a difficult position. No one expected the February 19 protest against the mining project. They must take the fact that the community is against them seriously.” 

A valuable mineral

What is antomony?

Antimony (Latin: stibium) is a silvery white metalloid found in the Earth’s crust. The leading producer is China, followed by Russia, Bolivia and Kyrgyzstan.

What is it used for?

Antimony possesses unique physical and chemical properties that make it essential for various technological applications. It is primarily used in military equipment, including night vision goggles, ammunition, and communication devices. Additionally, it plays a key role in the production of solar panels.

How much does it cost?

China’s export restrictions on antimony have driven up its price significantly. Currently, it is estimated to cost between $25,000 and $30,000 per ton.