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Above: An automated drill advances across a bench at Skouries, creating evenly spaced blastholes to support consistent, high-precision blasting performance.
Industry Partner Spotlight
This story was provided by Eldorado Gold, a CIM Industry Partner, and appears in the August 2026 issue of CIM Magazine (view it in flip format here).
Built for what comes next
At Eldorado Gold’s Skouries project in Greece, integrated automation, digital systems and advanced environmental technologies are helping to set a benchmark for modern, large-scale mining in the country
At the Skouries project in Greece, Eldorado Gold is taking a design-first approach to automation and digital mining, developing a next-generation copper-gold operation grounded in operational intelligence, integrated systems and long-term sustainability.
With construction nearing completion and first concentrate production expected in Q3, Skouries represents a significant milestone for Eldorado. Beyond its scale, it reflects a strategy to integrate technology, environmental performance and workforce evolution into a single operating model.
“By integrating automation, digital systems and advanced environmental technologies from the earliest stages of development, Skouries is being designed not only for today’s operating environment, but for the future of mining,” said Simon Hille, executive vice-president (VP) and chief operating officer.
Designed, not retrofitted
Unlike many operations, where automation is layered onto legacy systems, Skouries has been designed with these capabilities in mind from the outset.
The project combines open-pit and underground mining, supported by an integrated digital backbone. Across the site, automation is being deployed in practical and scalable ways.
Underground, automated drilling systems and tele-remote loaders are expected to improve accuracy and reduce worker exposure to potential hazards in active areas. Operators will control equipment remotely from the surface, allowing activities to continue during blasting windows and shift changes, while generating real-time data to support more precise control of development and production.
In the open pit, autonomous Epiroc Pit Viper drills will execute programmed patterns, automatically repositioning between holes and operating continuously through full shifts to support consistent performance.
“We have a unique opportunity at Skouries to build the operation the right way from the start,” said Niklas Frank, senior VP, operations, Europe. “This is a large, complex ore body that demands consistent, high-productivity mining from the outset.”
Connected operations, real-time decisions
At the core of Skouries is a digital ecosystem that brings together equipment, people and data. Fleet monitoring and underground intelligence systems will provide real-time visibility into equipment and personnel, creating a live digital view of the operation.
This level of awareness is expected to improve dispatching, traffic management and predictive maintenance, allowing operators to anticipate movements to support collision avoidance and optimize production cycles.
Eldorado is also introducing fatigue monitoring systems that use in-cab sensors to detect early signs of operator fatigue and provide real-time alerts, supporting a proactive approach to safety.
The result will be a more connected mine, where information flows continuously and decisions can be made with greater confidence and speed.
Productivity and responsibility
For Eldorado, technology is closely tied to productivity and sustainability. Skouries is a large, long-life asset that depends on achieving consistent throughput while managing environmental and operational risks.
Advanced flotation and process optimization systems will support metallurgical performance and plant stability by continuously monitoring ore characteristics and adjusting process conditions in real time. Filtered tailings technology has been integrated to reduce water consumption, improve stability and lower the site’s footprint, enabling dry stacking and more efficient water reuse.
A closed-loop water management approach further reinforces the site’s focus on responsible resource use.
“We are building a system where productivity, safety and environmental performance are not competing priorities. They are all part of the same design,” Hille said. “That integration is what will ultimately deliver long-term value.”
Setting a new standard
Skouries also carries broader significance for the region. As one of the first operations of its scale in Greece to incorporate this level of automation and digitalization, the project is helping to advance both industry capability and regulatory understanding.
Eldorado has worked with equipment manufacturers, digital technology providers and local stakeholders to implement systems new to the jurisdiction, while attracting a more technically focused workforce.
For Frank, the opportunity lies in aligning mine design, technology and operating practices. “When you align the mine design, the technology and the way you operate from day one,” he said, “you create something that can perform consistently for decades.”
As Skouries moves towards production, it stands as a clear example of how mining companies can integrate automation, digital systems and sustainability into a modern operating philosophy.
