The Canada-based company has two mines and two development projects in Greece, but mothballed Skouries in late 2017 citing long-running permitting delays.

Shares in Eldorado had been rising in recent weeks on hopes of the pro-business New Democracy party being elected to govern earlier this month. 

Reuters reported new energy minister Kostis Hatzidakis said he wanted the Skouries investment revived, after he and his deputy met with Eldorado executives.

"We want this investment to come to life," he told Skai TV, the wire service reported.

"It is a New Democracy commitment."

Eldorado has put Skouries' development capex at US$689.2 million for a 23-year mine, producing an average annual 140,000 ounces of gold and 66.9 million pounds of copper.

The updated technical study in March 2018, which envisaged dry stack tailings, put the after-tax NPV (5% discount) at $925 million and IRR at 21.2%.

The company said earlier this month it was on track to meet 2019 production guidance of 390,000-420,000oz.

Eldorado shares have risen from a 52-week low of C$3.36 in January to a peak of $10.43 on Monday.

They closed down 3.6% yesterday to $9.85 to capitalise it at $1.56 billion (US$1.2 billion).