Four men aged between 28 and 39 are set to face charges on Tuesday of breaching the peace, loitering with intent and attempted assault in connection with a protest against gold mining in Skouries, Halkidiki.

Another five people who were detained on Sunday, when police fired tear gas to prevent dozens of protesters from reaching the gold mine, were released on Monday.

Police claim some protesters attacked officers, throwing Molotov cocktails and firing flares, which caused at least 15 small fires to break out.

Police said they seized more than 50 firebombs before and during the protests. Protesters say the fires were caused by police firing tear gas canisters.

Locals are protesting mining in the area by Hellenic Gold, a subsidiary of Canadian firm Eldorado Gold. They say it will cause irreversible damage to the environment.

The firm says the project is safe and the investment will create hundreds of jobs.