WRITTEN QUESTION E-2372/99

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(16 December 1999)

Subject: Relaunching of mining activities in north-eastern Halkidiki

Plans have been approved by the Greek Government to relaunch mining and, in particular, gold extraction activities by the TVX company in north-eastern Halkidiki with greatly increased plant capacity and size, in addition to a large gold metallurgy plant using cynagen, and producing exceptionally toxic and dangerous effluent containing arsenic, cadmium, lead, sulphurous compounds, cyanides and other substances.

Given that:

- it was decided to launch these activities without any prior environmental impact assessment,

- the mining and metallurgical operations will destroy both ground and surface water not only because of the vast quantities used at every operational phase but also because of the deterioration of quality as a result of pollution by extremely dangerous substances, in addition to which measures are already needed to remedy existing pollution,

- this constitutes an infringement of Community law, in particular Directives 77/795(1) and 80/68(2), together with the new framework directive concerning water,

- these activities will be taking place in an area designated as GR 1270005 under the Natura 2000 programme, containing at least 15 different types of habitat, 76 species of fauna, 26 major species of flora listed in Directive 92/43(3) and 49 species listed in Directive 79/409(4) concerning the conservation of wild birds and in the Berne Convention,

- measures have been decided (for example the diversion of a water course) and works have begun (road building in the Natura area, drilling etc.) in the absence of any environmental impact surveys, thereby infringing Directive 97/11(5).

Can the Commission investigate the matter and establish whether a relevant environmental impact service has been carried out and whether the other necessary measures have been taken to comply with Community law?

What measures will the Commission take if it discovers that infringements of Community environment legislation such as the abovementioned have in fact occurred?

(1) OJ L 334, 24.12.1977, p. 29.

(2) OJ L 20, 26.1.1980, p. 43.

(3) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.

(4) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1.

(5) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997, p. 5.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(17 January 2000)

The Mount Stratonico site under code number GR1270005 has indeed been proposed by Greece as a site of Community importance, by virtue of Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora. The importance of that area lies mainly in the variety of forest habitat types it hosts, including priority ones.

In view of the future inclusion of that site in the Natura 2000 network, any activities that could seriously compromise its integrity should be avoided.

The Commission is aware of the TVX project in Halkidiki. The project was presented under the Industry operational programme for 19941999. The Commission had asked for a complete environmental impact study in accordance with the requirements of Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the impact of certain public and private projects on the environment(1) as amended by Directive 97/11/EC, in addition to the other measures to protect and restore historic sites requested by the Greek authorities when the investment was approved. However, the Greek authorities informed the Commission that the project had been abandoned, so the matter was not pursued.

In response to the information presented by the Honourable Member, the Commission will contact the Greek authorities to check whether the requirements of the said Directives have been complied with and if the conservation value of the site has been considered.

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.