A decision to issue a call for a public, international, and open invitation to a tender for the exploration and exploitation of antimony deposits in a northern section of the island of Chios was signed by the Greek Environment and Energy Ministry.The tender will be part of the government's efforts to highlight and develop Greece's mineral resources. It will be carried out in two phases: a. A call for expressions of interest (non-binding offers) until March 10, 2025, where those fulfilling the conditions will be selected to continue to the next phase, and b. A call for binding offers within the second quarter of 2025, for the concession of exploration and development of minerals in a section of the island's public mineral area totaling 9.02 square meters.The second phase will be followed by the signing of the concession between the Greek state and the concessionaire. The agreement will include 5 years for exploration and up to 30 years for development, if and when significant deposits are identified for exploitation.The ministry will ensure the concessionaire provides the most stringent guarantees for environmental protection, creation of jobs for local residents, the provision to the Municipality of Chios of a percentage of fixed and pro rata rents, and an overall contracted Corporate Social Responsibility Program.Antimony is on the European Union's list of Critical Raw Materials List. It is a mineral with various uses including, among others, in the defense industry and in technologies of green transition. Greece and Italy are the only two European countries with such deposits. (ICE ATENE)

Fonte notizia: Tovima