49th NDF Meeting Field Trip Guide: From Bauxite to Alumina and Aluminium

Greece is one of the EU Member States with important mineral resources in terms of quality, quantity, and variety of ores and minerals withgreat industrial interest and a wide range of applications (Ministry of Environment Energy & Climate Change, Greece, 2015). The mining activity and further exploitation of mineral wealth remain the main development priorities of Greece. The exploitation of mineral deposits of raw materials is a timeless reference for the mining and metallurgical activities in Greece. The Greek minerals are the early target of productive investment and interest, with a strong commercial presence in the global market, offering employment opportunities for many workers. The specification of strategic options for the future of mining in Greece should be of high priority, as well as the definition of a «roadmap» for the optimal use and sustainable exploitation of specific mineral raw materials. Greece always is competitive through mining activity and the mineral resource centered activity has traditionally been a key driver of economic development (through trade and innovation), employment (in urban centres but mainly in the periphery), trade and ultimately competitive advantage for the Greek economy. The Greek land houses a broad portfolio of minerals with countless uses in industry and daily life, many of them in leading positions worldwide.