14126 | 15 Jan. 2026 | 14:07

BULGARIANBFE, BAN and "Mini Marica-East" unite efforts to study critical raw materials and new industrial potential. ENGLISHBFE, BAN and "Mini Marica-East" join forces to research critical raw materials and new industrial potential

The Maritsa pool has potential and opportunities, the area can be extremely important for the development of Bulgarian competitiveness. If just a year ago we were talking about how to prevent shrinking, now we are talking about how to increase the pool's possibilities. I am proud that we managed to solve many of the problems that Bulgaria usually faces in a consistent, good and continuous way.

 This was stated by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov during the official signing of an agreement between NEK, BAS and "Mini Maritsa-Iztok" for cooperation in the research of critical raw materials and rare earth metals, reported by the Government Information Service.

 According to Zhelyazkov , the issue should be approached pragmatically, with a focus on achieving sustainable benefits for the country, while at the same time Bulgaria is established as a reliable and attractive partner.

 Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov reminded that natural resources are one of the key elements in global competition and pointed out energy as a key sector for our country, which, together with our strategic location and connectivity, allows us to be a serious player in Southeast Europe.

 Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov also emphasizes the potential of coal for extracting rare earth elements and critical raw materials contained within them.

 Minister Stankov also stated that within the framework of BEH (Bulgarian Energy Holding) a special new department will be created, which will be responsible for exploration, geological activities and innovations, including in relation to critical raw materials. For the first time in the new history of Bulgaria, the Bulgarian state will not only benefit from concession fees for the search and exploration of oil and gas or critical raw materials, but will also participate in building capacity in this regard, stated Minister Stankov.

 In this context, in the middle of last year, the government began to accelerate processes in the search and development of deposits with potential for the extraction of strategic, critical and rare earth raw materials, with a focus on the "East Maritsa Coal Basin".

 A memorandum of understanding was signed between BEH and the University of North Dakota (UND) as one of the leading scientific institutions in this field. At a national level, actions have been taken by BEH, "Mini Maritsa East" and the Geological Institute of BAS regarding the exploration of the potential of the "East Maritsa lignite basin".

 10 deep boreholes have been made in the three mines, from which BAS will allocate a total of 400 to 600 samples to be analyzed in national laboratories and show the concentrations of a full spectrum of rare earth elements and critical resources.

 The "East Maritsa lignite basin" deposit is the largest lignite deposit in the country, with a productive area of ​​240 sq. km. Research on the presence of rare earth elements in lignite deposits opens up a real prospect for a new life in the region. They create the opportunity for a 20% increase in coal production, which means maintaining employment and developing new economic activities with high added value.