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Today, on August 18, the mining community in Bulgaria celebrated its professional holiday – the Miner’s Day. The official celebration took place at Sofia Hotel Balkan, where traditionally hundreds of industry representatives gathered. Special guests of the celebration were the Minister of Energy Mrs. Temenuzhka Petkova, who is also the patron of the holiday, the Vice-President of the European Association of Mining Industries Mr. Roman Stiftner, representatives of the institutions in the sector, national and employers’ organizations, trade unions, regional governors and mayors from the country and academia.
In his overview report, the chairman of the Scientific and Technical Union for Mining, Geology and Metallurgy, Dr. Eng. Kremena Delyanova summarized the state of the industry in 2018, as well as the major events and initiatives in the sector.
Our country ranks third in copper production, fourth in gold and fifth in lignite production in Europe. The main raw materials extracted in Bulgaria are lignite, lead-zinc, copper and polymetallic ores, gypsum, limestone, bentonite, kaolin, quartz sands, refractory clays and marble.The total extraction of minerals for 2018 is 108.4 million tons, and the value of the production is close to BGN 3 billion. The industry reports nearly 2.5 times higher productivity than the industry average in the country. Directly employed in the industry are 22,000, and through related industries and services their number reaches up to 120,000. Salaries in the sector remain among the highest and in 2018 marks an increase of 10%, with the average annual salary reaching BGN 1700.The development of this industry is a priority of our government. Businesses and institutions go hand in hand – this is a guarantee for the success of the sector”, Energy Minister Ms Temenuzhka Petkova said in her welcoming speech. The updated National Strategy for the Mineral Resources Industry gives a vision for development and guarantees the interests of investors”, Minister Petkova argued.
In her speech, she also stressed the development of coal mining, which is one of the major challenges facing the Bulgarian energy sector.The Deputy Chairman of Euromin, Mr. Roman Stiftner, highlighted Bulgaria’s contribution to the European extractive industries during the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of Europe. “I would like to thank Bulgaria and the Bulgarian Chamber of Mining and Geology for the founding rules for the sector, with which they have been able to contribute to the European industry.” He also drew attention to the importance of convincing the new European Parliament team regarding the great importance of the mineral – raw industry. “We need to make politicians understand that we cannot survive one day without this industry”, Mr Schiftner added. During the celebration, the Bulgarian Mining Chamber honored the top mining companies for 2018 in the categories: best results, care for nature, safety and health, innovation and corporate social responsibility.
Personal awards were presented to people who have contributed to the industry – namely the Journalist Award and the best student at the University of Mining and Geology “St. Ivan Rilski.
The Bulgarian Mining Chamber Annual Award 2018 for the highest annual results in the mineral industry:
- Gorubso – Madan AD with CEO Sergei Atanasov for a growth in production in 2018 by 5.8% compared to 2017.
- Innovation Award
- Elatsite – Med AD with Executive Director Eng. Dragomir Draganov for the project “Implementation of modern technology for increasing the stability of Benkovski-2 tailings dam”
- Safety and Health Award – Zero Accidents in 2018, certified by a document from the National Social Security Institute.
- Assarel Medet AD with Executive Director Eng. Delcho Nikolov
- Assarel-Repair Ltd. with its manager eng. Ivan Ignatov
- Imeris Minerals Bulgaria AD with its Executive Director Ms. Juliana Mareva
- Care for the nature Award – for no breaches and sanctions and for full compliance with environmental standards in 2018, certified by a document from RIEW
- Assarel Medet AD with Executive Director Eng. Delcho Nikolov
- Награда „Грижа за природата“ – за липса на нарушения и санкции във връзка със спазване на екологичните норми през 2018 г., удостоверено с документ от РИОСВ
- “Асарел – Медет” АД с изпълнителен директор инж. Делчо Николов.
Award for socially responsible campaign of a company in the mineral industry
- Dundee Precious Metals Krumovgrad EAD with Executive Director Dr. Ilia Garkov for the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Assistance Fund Project
Personal Awards for Contribution to the Mineral Industry – Anniversaries of Leaders of Long-standing and Active Members of the Mining Association:
- Prof. DSc Eng. Tsolo Vutov (Geotechmin Ltd.) – 70 years of age
- Delcho Nikolov (Asarel-Medet JSC) – 60 years of ag
- Dr. Nikolay Kolev (Ognianovo-K AD) – 60 years of age
- Prof. Dr. Pavel Pavlov (Deputy Rector of Mining University “St. Ivan Rilski”) – 50 years years of age
- Prof. Dr. Stefcho Stoynev – Manager of Geotechnics ABS Ltd.) – 60 years of age
- Ivan Ignatov (Assarel – Repair Ltd.) – 70 years of age
- Mitko Mladenov (Rudmetal AD) – 60 years of age
- Awards for contribution to the Bulgarian mineral resources industry – diploma for the anniversary of a long-standing and active member of the Mining Association:
- 44 years since the creation of IOC Elatsite and 20 years since the accession of Elatsite-Med AD to the GEOTECHMIN Group60 years Lucky Enrichment Factory – Lucky Invest AD with CEO Atanas Marinsky
Award for objective and consistent reflection of the industry:
- Mrs. Mariana Boykova – 24 Chasa daily
Award for contribution to the mineral industry:
- Metodi Savov – a vetera
The Best Student Award “St. Ivan Rilski”:
- Bozhil Demerdzhiev – majoring Gas Fuel and Purification Equipment and Technologies, final assessment 5,61 – diploma and money award from The Association of Bulgarian Miners.
- Ivanka Stoyanova – Majoring in Mine surveyor and Geodesy, final assessment 5.60 – cash prize by “Minstroy Holding” AD
- Bozhurka Georgieva – majoring Geophysics, final assessment 5.83 – award by Asarel Foundation, established in the name of Prof. Dr. Luchezar Tsotsorkov
Prizes of the Scientific and Technical Union for Mining, Geology and Metallurgy awarded during the National Miner Day Celebration:
- Award Honorable Miner – Eng. Nedelcho Bonev
- Award Honorable Geologist – Prof. Dr. Ruslan Kostov and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Stefan Boyadzhiev.
