Greece is the only EU country with extensive but low-grade nickel laterites. The Greek laterites are unique in the world in that they are sedimentary and have originated by transport and sedimentation of laterite-derived material, generated by weathering of ultramafic rocks, on carstic Triassic –Jurassic limestones or on ultramafic ophiolithic rocks.

They mainly occur as haematitic /goethitic laterites and, to a lesser extent, as serpentinic laterites.

The main mineralogical phases of the first ore type are haematite, goethite, chlorite, illite, quartz and chromite. Chlorite is the main nickeliferous mineral, contributing, on an average, by 60% - 80% to the nickel content of the ore. The residual nickel occurs mainly in the iron minerals. The serpentinic laterites, consist predominantly of the nickeliferous serpentine, nickeliferous magnesian –cronstedtite, quartz and calcite. Goethite, haematite, saponite, smectite, talc, tremolite and chromite participate in small amounts.

The bigger laterite deposits in Greece occur in Central Greece, on the island of Euboea and in Northwestern Greece.