latest news on permit from reuters6 Jul 2011 13:55
LONDON, July 6 (Reuters) - European Goldfields Ltd (EGUq.L) is in talks with Greece's environmental ministry over a long-awaited permit, the company said on Wednesday, the day it had hoped to get approval.
"Since the passing of the austerity vote at the end of last week, we have been in active and close dialogue with the Ministry and are delighted with the progress that is being made," the London-listed company said in an e-mailed statement. "Based upon those discussions, we are highly confident of a positive outcome."
On June 15, European Goldfields said Greece would decide within three weeks on awarding the miner a permit to run two goldmines, a key project in the northern part of the country that has been delayed by a year, but two days later the environment minister was replaced in a reshuffle.
Last week, the miner said it was seeking a meeting with the new Greek environment minister George Papaconstantinou, who was dumped as finance minister after his belt-tightening programme stoked violent unrest in the country.