Tension in the region has been ongoing over opposition to the gold mining project which locals say will cause irreversible damage to the environment.
Citizens' groups, backed by radical leftist party Syriza which is the second largest in parliament, have been trying to halt the mining project since 2011, when the Greek government allowed Hellenic Gold to dig in the northern Halkidiki peninsula.
Local authorities support the project, which is expected to create hundreds of jobs in the recession-hit country where the unemployment rate has reached 27 percent.
Critics say the project will drain and contaminate local water reserves and spread hazardous chemicals, including lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury.
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