Eldorado gets more mine permits, standoff persists

Greece granted Eldorado Gold Corp two remaining permits on Friday for its Olympias mine, the government's latest attempt to defuse a standoff with the Canadian miner, which has threatened to suspend investment in the country.

After Eldorado warned on Monday that it could halt new investment starting September 22, blaming years-long permit delays and a lack of information on an upcoming arbitration, Greece issued key mine permits on Wednesday and detailed arbitration proceedings on Thursday. But the Vancouver-based miner continues to insist that it will only reconsider its investment plans after receiving a outstanding permit for a plant in Skouries and the government shows a willingness to engage in constructive talks.

"This is another positive step forward. However, we are still waiting on the other matters, which we continue to believe can be resolved through...