Balgarianovinite.com Bulgaria celebrates Miners’ Day every year on August 18. At the national celebration in Sofia, Energy Minister Iva Petrova said: “The world is changing, and with it the value of the resources we have.” She stressed the natural connection between the Ministry of Energy and the mining sector. “It is rooted in our responsibility for managing subsoil resources and for creating a policy that allows resources to be explored, developed and used sustainably, said the Minister.
She also noted that with the legislation on critical raw materials, the European Union has clearly shown that diversified supplies, strengthening the circular economy and supporting scientific research are important for Europe’s strategic autonomy. “Bulgaria has the resource potential to be a natural partner in this process. Therefore, we encourage exploration of new deposits and opportunities for concomitant extraction of high-value-added products,” said Petrova.
She ended her speech by announcing that the National Geological Fund at the Ministry of Energy will be digitized in stages by December 2029.
The mining sector has maintained its sustainability this year as well with 315 companies operating in the sector, and 170 exploration and exploration permits are in force, reported the chair of the Bulgarian Chamber of Mining and Geology (BCMG), Dragomir Draganov. According to Draganov, the sector has potential, modern enterprises, expertise and claimed that it provided 40% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He cited data according to which nearly 18,000 people worked in the sector in 2025, a 5% decrease compared to 2024, which he attributed to the introduction of new technologies and a decline in coal mining. “The average annual salary of those employed in the sector is EUR 18,932, which is increasing by 9% and is 20% above the national average. Revenues for the state in 2025, contributed by the sector, are also increasing,” Draganov pointed out.
Nikolay Valkanov, Honorary Chair of the BCMG, said that the chamber has developed projects for the extraction of strategic raw materials and has prepared three documents with an analysis of the development of uranium, tungsten and manganese mining.
He recalled that uranium mining in Bulgaria has been suspended by a government decision years ago. “We import uranium. Now the technologies are different and uranium is mined safely for the environment and for the workers,” he pointed out.
The BCMG presented its annual awards on the occasion of Miners’ Day.
The award for the highest annual results achieved in the mineral raw materials industry in 2025 was received by “Rodopi Eco Projects” EOOD for achieving a 21% increase in production on an annual basis. The innovation award went to “Elatsite Med” AD for the project “Construction and commissioning of a modular mine water treatment plant (EnviroChemie Envimodule)”.
The award for safety and health – for achieving zero occupational injuries in 2025, was received by “DPM Chelopech” EAD and “DPM Krumovgrad” EAD.
Personal awards for contribution to the mineral and raw materials industry were presented to Prof. Dr. Eng. Ivaylo Koprev – Rector of the University of Mining and Geology “St. Ivan Rilski”, on the occasion of his 50th anniversary, Chenko Gerov, Executive Director of “Breznik Minerals” AD, on the occasion of his 50th anniversary and Dimitar Tsotsorkov, Chair of the Supervisory Board of “Asarel-Medet” AD, on the occasion of his 50th anniversary.
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