New metallogenetic concepts and sustainability perspectives for non-energy metallic minerals in Greece

Greece's geology favours a potent and dynamic use of mineral resources, which became a major incentive of the country's mining business, and economic and social growth. Among the Non-Energy Metallic Minerals (NEMM) commodities, base and precious metals, in particular copper and gold, is becoming an increasingly important and rapidly growing target of the mining industry. The NEMM occur in a wide range of genetic types related to Alpine orogenesis related ore forming processes extending from Mesozoic to Cenozoic times, and culminating during the Tertiary. The subduction related magmatic activity accumulated and released “hot spots” of heat flow and mechanical stress anomalies which became the driving forces of ore forming processes and deposition. The classification of NEMM mineralizations to specific genetic types, along with the geological knowledge available, is contributing to (a) more efficient exploration and prospect evaluation (b) safer assessment of ore potential and economic perspectives (c) rational management of resource production (d) applying sustainable development practices. This paper focuses on the NEMM of central Macedonia in northern Greece using new metallogenetic aspects for implementing low-risk exploration campaigns, reducing environmental footprints and securing sustainable supply and use of commodities.