There has long been opposition to the prospect of a gold mine and processing plant being built at Skouries in the Halkidiki peninsula, with some residents objecting to what they say will be the destruction of the environment and of pristine forest in the area, leading to the loss of tourism and other local activities such as farming, the rearing of livestock and fishing.
Palladium capacity worldwide is likewise expected to increase an additional 16, 000 kg in Russia, 14, 000 kg in South Africa, 4, 000 kg in Zimbabwe, and 1, 000 kg in Canada if new or expanded mine and associated processing capacity comes into production as planned.