Baseline Ecological Study for harmonization of the project with EBRD financing requirements regarding biodiversity – Perama Hill / HELLENIC GOLD-THRACIAN GOLD S.A.

The project under consideration is located in the Regional Unit of Evros, outside Natura 2000 areas or other protected formations. It is a gold mining project. As part of the Baseline Environmental Study, field surveys were conducted for >12 months, as required by the EBRD. The overall objective was to assess what significant biodiversity elements exist in the study area, and the research was conducted in line with the EBRD’s commitment to ensure that projects to be financed are designed to meet EU environmental principles, practices, and standards.

The Baseline Biodiversity Survey which lasted 12 months, collected comprehensive information on the following aspects:

• The distribution of key habitats and habitat types
• Historical changes in vegetation
• The distribution and population status of important species within and around the project footprint area
• The identification of specific important or critical biodiversity features (Priority Biodiversity Features-PBF or Critical Habitats-CH) in the survey area, in compliance with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) performance requirements

The design and implementation of the Ecological Baseline Study surveys was carried out by NCC.

Baseline surveys were carried out for the following habitats and species groups:

• Habitat types and flora
• Reptiles and amphibians
• Birds
• Bats
• Other mammals
• Invertebrates

The surveys identified the biodiversity features present in the study area and, consequently, assessed these features based on the criteria set out in EBRD PR6. Based on the assessment, it was found that one mammal (Felis silvestris), 11 bats (Barbastella barbastellus, Eptesicus serotinus, Hypsugo savii, Miniopterus schreibersii, Myotis nattereri, Nyctalus leisleri, Nyctalus noctule, Pipistrellus kuhlii, Rhinolophus blasii, Rhinolophus euryale, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, Rhinolophus hipposideros, Tadarida teniotis), 3 amphibians (Bombina variegata, Bufotes viridis, Triturus ivanbureschi) and 7 reptiles (Lacerta diplochondrodes, Lacerta viridis, Mauremys rivulata, Ophisops elegans, Pseudopus apodus, Testudo graeca, Testudo hermanni) are classified as CHF and therefore require careful consideration through impact assessment, mitigation planning, and possibly a biodiversity action plan, in accordance with EBRD requirements.

In addition, 1 habitat type (9530* – Mediterranean pine forests with endemic black pines) is also identified as CH, since it is listed as a priority habitat type in Directive 92/43/EEC. This also requires careful consideration as it covers 51% of the footprint site (61,18ha). ​ ​

24 species are identified as PBF, specifically one mammal (Canis aureus), one reptile (Natrix natrix), and 22 bird species, including raptors, storks, nocturnal birds, and passerines.

There are also six types of habitats within the study area that meet the criteria for designation as PBF: 1410 “Mediterranean salt meadows,” 62A0 “Eastern sub-Mediterranean dry grasslands,” 8220 “Siliceous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation,” 91M0 “Oak forests with Quercus macrolepis and Quercus cerris,” 92A0 “Forest stands of Salix alba and Populus alba,” and 92C0 “Platanus orientalis and Liquidambar orientalis forests (Plantanion orientalis)“. It should be noted that these habitat types occur in very small areas both within and near the footprint area, with the exception of habitat type 91M0 (oak forests), which covers 14.58 hectares within the footprint polygon.

Mitigation, restoration and management measures have been proposed to alleviate the project impacts to the Critical Habitat features of the site. These measures have been incorporated in the project Appropriate Assessment.