Energy Min will immediately comply with Council of State rulings vindicating Hellas Gold

The Environment and Energy Ministry will immediately comply with the rulings of the Council of State that vindicated the mining company Hellas Gold and will issue the relevant licenses, the ministry said on Monday, while accusing the previous government of obstructing investments and job creation.

The State of Council accepted three applications of annulment concerning:

(a) Failure by the Administration to grant a two-year extension to the license for the installation of electromechanical equipment for the "Enrichment Plant in Skouries";

(b) Failure by the Administration to grant a supplementary - modification permit for the installation of electromechanical equipment for the "Enrichment Plant in Skouries"; and

(c) The administration's failure to grant an annual extension to the License for the Installation of Electromechanical Equipment for 'Ancillary Facilities and Service Facilities in Skouries'.

The ministry stated:

"The SYRIZA government, with its persistence and aspirations, has consistently served as an obstacle to investment growth and job creation.

"This is proved by the three decisions taken by the Council of State (1531, 1532 and 1533), which accept in their entirety all three petitions of annulment made by the company "Hellas Gold" counter to the Ministry of Environment and Energy.

"These decisions confirm the criticism directed at the previous government over the Skouries case. A negative attitude to the investment, but also to the business's employees and the wider area.

"The Ministry of Environment and Energy, with its new leadership, will immediately and fully comply with the decisions of the State of Council and issue the relevant licenses."