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Greek mineral prospects

A fisherman near Sarakiniko beach in , . The surrounding volcaniclastic rocks could be developed for their industrial mineral applications

Exploration key to growing Greek industry Greece is opening its doors to private investment to boost domestic industries. Ananias Tsirambides and Anestis Filippidis discuss the country’s key exploration targets for industrial minerals development

reece avoided bankruptcy with the to make the terms of the European Financial surplus above 5.5% and a programme of public agreement of the 17 leaders of the Stability Fund (EFSF) more flexible. property use and privatisations of €50bn for the Eurozone on 21 July 2011 for the Privatisation, imposition of new taxes and period 2011-2015. Therefore, the fiscal repair and second aid package of €158bn. Of spending cuts in the period 2011-15, totalling recovery of the national economy is not infeasible. this, €49bn will be from the €28.4bn, to hold the deficit to 7.5% of gross Despite the short-term costs, the reforms that Gparticipation of individuals. Many crucial details as national product (GNP), are foreseen. have been implemented or planned will benefit regards the new loan have not been clarified yet, In particular, the following reforms are expected: Greece for many years to come, as they will raise but it is obvious that Europe has given Greece a streamlining wage costs, operating cost reductions, growth, living standards and equity. A basic second chance, under the suffocating pressures of closures/mergers of bodies, decreased subsidies, prerequisite of success is that the burden and the markets and fears that the debt crisis may reorganisation of Public Enterprises and Entities benefits of reform broadly may be fairly shared. spread to the core of the Eurozone. (PEE), reduction of defence spending, streamlining Clearly, the key to success will be in Debt reduction will be aided by granting rights of healthcare costs, reduction of costs and implementation, which will have to be impeccable. to exploit Greece’s mineral wealth to large business improvement of profits of the 32 Social Security Although the economy is still weak and the path to groups in the US, Germany and other ‘borrowing Organisations (SSO) and combating of evasion, recovery is lengthy, rising exports are a sign that the forces’, for many decades, in return to the enhancing tax compliance with new tax measures, reforms started to bear fruits. Under the most pre-collection of part of the expected revenues. tax cut reductions and increase of the revenues of optimistic scenario, in 2035 reduction of the debt Greece hosts a number of industrial minerals and the Local Authority Organisations (LAO). to 60% of GDP will be attained. Prerequisite is rocks with good prospects for exploitation, which Besides the above, measures to enhance growth Greece from 2015 and then to score a primary are discussed here. and investments can lead to high primary surpluses, surplus of 5-6%. The aid package will give the country the so the debt will fall below 100% of the GDP (from The International Financial Institute (IFI), which assistance needed to restore growth and 140% today). This may happen in 2025 with a reflects the positions of more than 400 banks, competitiveness. The European leaders also agreed growth rate higher than 3.5% after 2014, a primary expects in 2020 the Greek public debt to have

44 industrial minerals February 2012 Greek mineral prospects

decreased in two-digit percentage of the GDP. The advantages of Greece are its geostrategic Graphitic diamonds of 2-300 μm in size Specifically, it provides that the debt of Greece will position, which allows access to markets of 170m enclosed in garnet, quartz, amphibole and be reduced to 98% of GDP by the end of 2020, consumers in the , the diptych sun-sea graphite of metamorphic rocks have been found taking into account the percentage and the impact which encourages investments in tourism, where in Central (, Galarinos, from the involvement of banks in the country there is still much room for growth, and in Marathoussa). Also, metamorphic mineral- support plan. renewable energy sources (RES) and the indices of ultra-high pressure such as coesite, Essentially, these predictions confirm the exploitation of mineral raw materials which diamond and garnet were detected in eclogites analogous estimation of the International Monetary hitherto stay unexploited (eg. oil, gas, gold, and gneisses in central and eastern Fund, which welcomed with great satisfaction the zeolites etc). The negatives of the country include Massif. The diamond appears in submicroscopic agreement on crisis management in the the bureaucratic obstacles to establishing and crystals of <20 μm in size within garnet Eurozone. operating new businesses, opacity, high taxation, porphyroblasts in the regions of Pilima , The privatisation of troubled public enterprises, and constant changes in the institutional Kymi-Smigada Rhodope and Sidiro . the reforms in the economy and the state framework. The changes in these areas are urgent. structure, and some political consent started. It is Diatomite believed that the increasing role of the private Diamond Diatomite deposits in Greece, depending on the sector will gradually put an end to the respective Areas of , where there are environment of formation, are located in the public sinecure. Mismanagement and waste of metamorphic rocks of ultra-high pressure, are basins of Klidi , Komnina , taxpayers’ money will cease permanently. We associated with diamond potential, including the Yannota and Megalopoli (freshwater), in urgently need an investment plan, a plan for the mountainous blocks of the Prefectures of the basins of Eani and Mytilinioi restoration of Greek economy, but also and , and a narrow zone that (saline-alkaline lake), in , Milos, substantially improvement of the business extends intermittently along 100 km or more and in the basins of Kastelli and Heraklio environment in the coming years. from until Evros. (shallow sea) and in (deep sea). The indicated reserves of diatomite are 100m tonnes and their value €2.5bn. Approximately Table 1: Types and origin of Greek marbles 50% of them are in the basins of Klidi Florina, Type/colour Region Komnina Ptolemaida, Eani Kozani and Yannota Limestones-marbles (with >98% calcite) Elassona with good prospects for exploitation.

Kechrocampos and Vounochori , Koumaria and Kastania , Veneto White Garnet Magnisia, Penteli and Dionyssos , -- Garnets have been found in areas of contact metamorphism in Xanthi (Kimmeria, Diasparto, Disvato-Elafochori-Stenopos-Filippi Kavala, Xiropotamos and Monastiraki Semi-white Drama, Tranovaltos Kozani, Almyropotamos Evia, Micho Lesvos Thermes), Drama (Polyneri, Panorama), in Thessaloniki, , Mount Thassos, Chalkero Kavala, Panorama Drama, Zasteni and Argalasti Magnisia, Olympus, Lavrio, , etc. The granatites of Grey-white Kokkinaras Attica, Parnon Arkadia, Lardos Kimmeria Xanthi and Serifos are suitable as blasting materials, showing good prospects for Beige , Domvrena and Martino Viotia, Kivotos , Kalythia Rhodes exploitation. Pink Germa , , Klinovo Trials with the Serifos garnet made in the US showed that the material is suitable as abrasive for Grey-black Ippio Lesvos wooden surfaces, leather and ceramic products. Black Parnon Arkadia, Agia Also, because of its quality characteristics it can be Dolomites (% mineral dolomite) used as filtration media. The indicated reserves of garnets are 1.3m tonnes and their value €40m. White Thassos (92%); Granitis (100%), Volakas (100%), Piges (92%) Drama Semi-white Elikonas Viotia (87%) Graphite Grey-white Nikissiani Kavala (87%) Graphite has been identified in marbles, gneisses and schists of the Rhodope Massif. In particular, Grey Moundros Rethymno (90%) the garnet schists of Polyneri Drama contain an Grey-black Damasta Heraklio (62%) average of 3% graphite, and the occurrences in Red Agios Vasilios Rethymno (80%) the Ypsili Rachi and Agios Panteleimonas are lower purity. Other carbonates and sedimentary units Microcrystalline (amorphous) graphite in the Breccia Karnezeika-Kantia-Lygourio Argolida, Agios Petros Arkadia, Evia, form of lenses has been identified in the units of limestones , Rodochori Naoussa in carbonate formations. In the region of Diasparto and Thermes Xanthi the garnet- Aridea , Skra Kilkis, Vamvakofyto , Pitsa , Kapandriti Attica, Travertines kyanite gneisses contain a graphite horizon with Vamos graphite leaflet crystals at rates of 3-12% and reserves in excess of 600,000 tonnes. From this Poroliths Alfa Rethymno horizon a graphite concentrate was produced Sandstones Beige Messolongi, Gray Demati , Gray Kastoria with carbon content of 80-85%. But a graphite Gypsums concentrate with >95% C is needed to allow the exploitation of these deposits. Serpentinites Fytia Imathia, The indicated reserves of graphite are 650,000 tonnes and their value €20m.

February 2012 industrial minerals 45 Greek mineral prospects

Halite Oligocene (Ionian Zone). In Parnonas phosphate The indicated reserves of talc are 1m tonnes and Exploitation of mineral salt in Greece took place in has the form of crystalline fluorapatite while in their value is €20m. the past (before 1900) only in Vordo Ioannina via Kitheron there have been small occurrences of primitive means. Today, the possibility of U-V-phosphorite identified. Vermiculite exploitation of mineral salt (75-90% NaCl), which In the Parnassos-Gkiona Zone the occurrences The deposits of vermiculite are restricted in the has been identified in Monolithi Ioannina, are found to contact limestone with flysch in regions of Zidani Kozani, Askos Thessaloniki, intercalated with reef limestones, is being examined. Distomo, Arachova and Antikyra and they are Mountains Kroussia of Kilkis, Vavdos and Approximately 66% of the needs of the country fragmented due to erosion. In the Ionian Zone Chalkidiki. The Vertiskos Series is very interesting, are covered by the production from eight salt pits occurrences of Miocene phosphorites have been which along with the talc bodies, deposits of operated by state company Hellenic Alykes Co. SA, identified in the regions of Ktismata and vermiculite have identified in the region of Askos. founded in 1988, with a capacity of 260,000 tpa. Argyrochori , and Kefalonia. In the There are 300,000 tonnes of vermiculite which

These pits are: Messolongi (produces same zone are Upper Cretaceous phosphate deposits contains 0-2.5% K2O and this mineral is located at approximately 50% of total), Messi Rhodope, Nea mainly in Etoloakarnania, and Delvivaki a depths of up to 30 metres.

Kessani Xanthi, Kitros , Angelochori Ioannina, where the deposits spread over 15km After this depth K2O gradually increases and

Thessaloniki, Skala and Kalloni Lesvos, and Milos. length and 2-4 m in thickness, with a P2O5 content deposits of hydro-phlogopite and hydro-biotite may

With the schedule of the medium-term financial of 10-25%. Because of the low P2O5, the be additional mineral resources. This vermiculite has framework for Greece’s exit from the Eurozone exploitation of these deposits is impossible with desirable properties for the manufacture of certain crisis, by the end of 2015 the Greek state will today’s techno-economic conditions. construction, agricultural and horticultural products allocate for sale 100% of the shares it holds in The indicated reserves of phosphate total 500,000 and shows a high ability to remove heavy metals Hellenic Alykes. tonnes and their value is €10m. from aqueous solutions. The indicated reserves of mineral salt are 20m The indicated reserves of vermiculite in tonnes and their value is €80m. Talc Macedonia are 500,000 tonnes and their value is Numerous deposits of talc have been found in €20m. More encouraging are the prospects for Micas Greece, some of which are of economic interest. exploitation of vermiculite found around Askos In Macedonia and there are many acidic These are usually in the form of veins and lenses in Thessaloniki. plutonic, pegmatitic and regional metamorphism serpentinites and ophiolites that have received rocks containing large crystals of mica. By 2006 hydrothermal or metamorphic alteration. Wollastonite only Myrtofyto Kavala (Mount Symvolo) had seen The talc is accompanied by chlorite, tremolite, Wollastonite deposits are in Kimmeria Xanthi (with periodic extraction of sericite – the product of magnetite, calcite and quartz. Talc deposits are indicated reserves of 500,000 tonnes and hydrothermal alteration of feldspar content in the found in , , Evia, , Arnissa Pella, recoverable wollastonite at 50%) and in Panorama granites – by Viotalk Co. The processing and the Divouno Kilkis, Rhodope (, Myrtiski, Drama (with indicated reserves of 700,000 tonnes enrichment were done in Vrasna Thessaloniki. The Chloe) etc. Exploitation of talc deposits occurred in and recoverable wollastonite at 50%). Both show company can reopen but modern processing the past in Tinos, Crete and Chortiatis good prospects for exploitation. The indicated equipment is required. Thessaloniki. Today, of special interest are the reserves of wollastonite are 500,000 tonnes and The indicated reserves of micas are 800,000 abundant serpentinite bodies of the units in their value is €20m. tonnes and their value is €20m. Vertiskos (Serbomacedonian Zone) and particularly of the area Askos Thessaloniki, which are rich in Zeolites Phosphate rock vermiculite and talc. Natural zeolites are found in more than 80 types.

The fertiliser mineral is found in three different In Askos the talc reserves (with 2.5-5.5% Fe2O3) Fibrous zeolites (eg. erionite, mordenite, scolecite, horizons, which belong to Upper Cretaceous are about 700,000 tonnes. Test improvements mesolite, natrolite) are avoided for the different uses. (Parnassos-Gkiona Zone), to Eocene, and to carried out reduced the iron content to 2.5-3%. Instead it is proposed that those with a content above 70% in the ore are used, while those with lower grades could be used as aggregate or building Table 2: Zeolite content of Greek tuff formations, north-east Greece* stones. Location Average content (wt. %) Min-max. content (wt. %) Taking into account the reserves, the type and the 83 HEU 80-89 zeolite content, the economical interest is focused 79 HEU 74-86 Mavri Petra of Petrota mainly in the Evros Prefecture (Ntrista Stream and 76 HEU 70-81 Mavri Petra of Petrota, and Kyries Toumpes and 65 HEU 40-90 Tympano of Pentalofos), in north-east Greece, with 89 HEU 84-95 probable reserves of 480m tonnes; 120m tonnes for Ntrista Stream of Petrota 89 HEU 87-93 each location. 89 HEU 87-93 Zeolite occurrences without economic interest 76 HEU 74-77 Kyries Toumpes of Pentalofos (low zeolite content, fibrous zeolites or unknown 65 HEU 40-90 reserves) occur in the Prefectures of Evros, Rhodope, 83 HEU 70-93 Samos and . In the rest of the Evros 78 HEU 70-85 Prefecture such occurrences are found in the areas 77 HEU 55-95 of: a) Petrota (locations Aloni-Kokkalo, Tympano of Pentalofos 70 HEU 49-93 Gkazomylos, Livadakia, Petrota-Lefki Stream, 69 HEU 68-70 Fylakio Omega) containing 35-75% HEU-type 65 HEU 40-90 zeolite, 45% Mordenite; b) Pentalofos (Palestra) 59 HEU 37-81 containing 43-65% HEU-type zeolite; c) *In Petrota (Mavri Petra and Ntrista Stream) and Pentalofos (Kyries Toumpes and Tympano), Evros Metaxades-Avdella (Gourounorema-Xerovouni) Prefecture, north-east Greece. HEU: HEU-type zeolite (Heulandite-Clinoptilolite). containing 35-75% HEU-type zeolite; and d) Dadia--Feres (Kanalia, Xefoto, Synoro,

46 industrial minerals February 2012 Greek mineral prospects

Vyrini, Lefkimmi, Agios Konstantinos, Aspra Today there is no exploitation of natural zeolites Kilkis, Olympias Chalkidiki, Molaoi Chomata, Vrysi, Kavissos, Kapsala, Laka, in Greece. Depending on the quality, grain size and etc. Makrylofos, Nipsa) containing 11-70% HEU-type degree of processing, the value of natural zeolites zeolite, 5-53% mordenite, 14-88% HEU-type ranges from €10/tonne to €500/tonne. Processed Platinoid metals (PGE) zeolite+mordenite, 43% HEU-type zeolite+stilbite, in specific products (litter, nutrition supplements), Of particular interest are the porphyry Cu deposits 31% mordenite+stilbite, 8% laumontite+stilbite. prices can range from €1/kg to €48/kg. containing precious metals and especially platinoids In the Rhodope Prefecture (north-east and north- The indicated reserves of the natural zeolites of such as Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir and Pt. They are very west Skaloma, Kirostatis, Voukefalo of Darmeni) Thrace are 600m tonnes and their value €18bn. rare in nature and because they closely resemble there are zeolites containing 18-60% HEU-type each other usually they are in binary or triadic zeolite+mordenite, and 16-18% analcime. Critical raw materials alloys. In the (Karlovassi- It is known that 70% of the necessary raw materials The most common platinoid is platinum (Pt). Marathokampos basin) zeolites contain 57-91% for the European industry are imported from The exploration goals for finding platinoid metal HEU-type zeolite, 64% mordenite, 44-72% non-Eurozone countries, while 70% of European concentrations with economic interest are the analcime, 66% chabazite, 78-81% HEU-type industry is based on mineral raw materials. Also, porphyry Cu deposits of the metallogenetic arc in zeolite+mordenite, 55% HEU-type while Europe consumes 30% of the global north-west direction from the Skouries-Fissoka zeolite+analcime, and 47% HEU-type production of metallic minerals, it produces only Chalkidiki until Pontokerassia-Gerakario Kilkis. zeolite+phillipsite. 3%. Specifically, in the exploitable ore of Skouries, In the Cyclades Prefecture (Panagia and Kipi of To ensure the supply of necessary mineral raw economic concentrations of palladium (Pd) of 0.5 Milos, Ormos Sykias and Agios Andreas of materials into Europe, the European mining g/tonne have identified, widening further the , north-west of Polyegos, Akrotiri and strategy and policy is currently under redesign. In already rich mineral potential and the value of the Ormos Mpalou of ) zeolites deposits contain 2010 the European Union (EU) adopted the ore. In some cases, such as in Fe-Ni-bearing laterite 33-55% of HEU-type zeolite, 23-73% mordenite, initiatives of sustainable production from domestic deposits (eg. Vermio), elevated levels of platinoids and 53-73% HEU-type zeolite+mordenite. raw materials, sustainable consumption and have also been identified. Natural zeolites containing no fibrous species and recycling. with a purity >70%, are suitable materials for The recent Raw Materials Initiative (RMI) also Rare earth elements numerous environmental, industrial, agricultural, restores focus to the development of mineral REEs constitute a group of 17 metals widely used cattle-raising and aqua-cultural applications. The resources. In the content of this initiative, 14 in the production of high-tech products such as Hellenic Natural Zeolite (HENAZE) from Ntrista minerals were classified as critical and of strategic batteries, wind turbines, aerospace alloys, etc. There Stream, on average contains 89% HEU-type zeolite importance for European industry. These were: are great differences in the market prices of rare (range 84-95%). It enriches water in oxygen and antimony (Sb), beryllium (Be), cobalt (Co), earth oxides. Also, their prices depend on the adjusts the pH level to neutral. gallium (Ga), germanium (Ge), indium (In), degree of purity determined by the specifications in The treatment of municipal wastewater with (Mg), niobium (Nb), platinoid metals the applications. In August 2011 their price ranged

HENAZE gave clear water with improved quality (PGE), rare earths (REE), tantalum (Ta), tin (Sn), from $173/kg (La2O3) up to $5.880/kg (Eu2O3). parameters by 90-95%. Also, the treatment fluorspar, and graphite. China controls 95% of the world production. produced a precipitate of odourless and cohesive Most of them are found in Greece, but further Significant reserves of rare earths are found in zeo-sewage-sludge, which was produced either by investigations are needed to determine the proven alluvial deposits in the coastal environment of mixing the sewage sludge with HENAZE or as reserves. Strymonikos Bay between the mouth of the precipitate during the treatment of municipal homonymous river and Kavala. Geological surveys wastewater with it. Antimony estimate the reserves at 485m tonnes with an This sludge is suitable for reclamation of Antimony has been found in veins of the mineral average content of 1.17% rare earths. Considerable agricultural soils. The treatment of industrial antimonite mainly in Kallyntirio Rhodope, in interest for systematic economic geology wastewater (from dyeing, tannery operations), gave Gerakario Kilkis, in Filadelfio and exploration, present also the bauxites and lateritic clear water with improved quality parameters by Thessaloniki, Pilio, and Samos with levels bauxites of Sterea Hellas, with levels ranging from 93-99%. Also, the treatments gave a precipitate of from 1% to 2.5% Sb. Antimony has a common 3.275 g/tonne to 6.378 g/tonne in REE. The odourless and cohesive zeo-sludge, which is suitable presence in the sulphide minerals of Pb, Fe, Cu, perceived economic interest even includes the red for safe deposition, since the dangerous Ag, Au (>1 g/tonne). From all of the occurrences of mud by-product from the aluminium industry. components are not leached with the rainwater. antimony, only in Gerakario has native antimony See IM January 2012 issue for a review of Greece’s HENAZE removes cyanobacteria from waters by been identified. The indicated reserves of industrial mineral producers and markets. 51-92%. Its addition in agricultural soils increases antimony are 2,400 tonnes and their value is the yield of agricultural products by 17-66%, €30m. Acknowledgements: The authors wish to thank improves the quality of the products by 4-46%, the Mining Enterprises Association of Greece and reduces the use of fertilisers by 56-100%, reduces Gallium, germanium & indium the colleagues who provided information in the usage of irrigation water by 33-67%, prevents These metals are at the heart of the industrial compiling this article. References available on the seepage of dangerous substances into the water applications of high-tech alloys. The mixed request. environment, thus protecting the quality of surface sulphide mineral deposits Pb-Zn-Ag constitute an and ground waters. ideal geochemical environment for their presence. Contributors: Professors Ananias Tsirambides and The use of HENAZE in farms as floor material In this sense mineralisation and deposits belonging Anestis Filippidis of Dept. Mineralogy-Petrology- and as feed additive increases the production (17% to this category are potential sources of these Economic Geology, School of Geology, in the case of milk from cows, 7% in the body metals. of Thessaloniki; [email protected] weight of broilers), improves the product quality, The rapid improvement of analytical methods [email protected] reduces the food intake, the animal diseases and now gives the possibility for their qualitative medication, the neonatal mortality, and the detection and quantitative determination in More online malodour, and converts the manure to odourless selected original samples from specific areas, such as www.indmin.com/supply fertiliser. metal-bearing regions ie. Thermes Xanthi,

February 2012 industrial minerals 47