The Municipality of Paionia has issued a negative opinion on the request of the company LAVA MINING & QUARRYING SA, with which it requests to conduct research work with core drilling to identify a kaolin deposit, in a municipal area of approximately 183,973.63 sq m, in the “Psiloma” area south of the village of Griva.
In his proposal, the General Secretary of the Municipality, Mr. Datos Ioannis, stated, among other things, the following: “The future establishment of such a quarry in this area is likely to cause a noticeable degradation of the landscape, which will be visible from many points and at least from the overlying points-areas such as the settlement of Griva and the monasteries of the area, will negatively affect the quality of life of both nearby residents and visitors and will also negatively affect both nature and religious tourism in the entire area, an area much larger than the area of a quarry.
The possible noise pollution from heavy excavators, crushers, loaders and trucks transporting the material, as well as the daily generation and dispersion of dust in the surrounding settlements, facilities and crops, but also in the flora and fauna of the area, is an inevitable additional negative consequence of degradation of the entire area.
The very likely removal-destruction of trees and all vegetation in the mining area, combined with the inevitable alteration or perhaps even the destruction of the watercourse that currently runs through the area, in addition to the direct consequences on the flora and fauna of the area, will very likely result in the occurrence of flooding phenomena, when (as a result of heavy rainfall which is common in the mountain) the surface rainwater of the surrounding overlying areas will not be able to be retained by the vegetation that will not exist and will not be able to be led to their natural recipient (the watercourse), resulting in soil erosion and other known negative consequences, especially on the crops and other exploitations of the area that are around and lower.
The daily movement of either heavy construction machinery or vehicles transporting the mining material, even if these will not passing through residential areas, is likely to have negative consequences on the condition of the pavement of the existing road network, but also on the safety of moving vehicles of residents and visitors of surrounding settlements, facilities, crops, farms, places of pilgrimage, etc., gradually increasing the possibility of even causing traffic accidents.”
