Mining In Bulgaria

Bulgaria was an important regional producer of nonferrous metal ores and concentrates, and was mostly self-sufficient in mineral requirements. Mining and metalworking in the region was well documented by Roman times, when Bulgaria and Romania, known respectively as Thrace and Dacia, were important sources of base and precious metals. Small quantities of bismuth, chromite, copper, gold, iron, lead, magnesite, manganese, molybdenum, palladium, platinum, silver, tellurium, tin, uranium, and zinc were mined, as well as the industrial minerals anhydrite, asbestos fiber, barite, bentonite, common clays, refractory clays, dolomite, feldspar, fluorspar, gypsum, kaolin, industrial lime, limestone, nitrogen (in ammonia), perlite, pyrites, salt (all types), sand and gravel, silica (quartz sand), calcined sodium carbonate, dimension stone, sulfur (content of pyrite), sulfuric acid, and crushed stone.We can see various crushing and grinding plants in the area rich in the mineral ore. Most of the copper deposits were within a roughly 50 km-wide (30 mi) swath from Burgas in the east, to the former Yugoslavia in the west, and almost all was produced by two enterprises, Asarel-Medet, at Panagurishte, and Elatzite-Med, at Srednogorie; copper was also mined at Burgas and Malko Turnovo. Lead and zinc were mined chiefly in the Rhodope Mountains, at Madan and Rudozem. Production outputs for 2000 were: gold, 2,347 kg in 2000, down from 3,390 in 1996; gross copper, 22.8 million tons; barite ore (run of mine), 8.75 million tons, up from 285,000 in 1997, 452,197 in 1998, and 1.12 million in 1999; limestone and dolomite, 11 million tons; industrial lime, 1.39 million tons; and silica, 690,000 tons. Manganese ore production was zero in 1999 and 2000; it was 55,600 tons in 1998.

Navan Resources, of Ireland, obtained a new exploration license for gold in "highly prospective" southeastern Bulgaria. The Krumovgrad region, already known for the presence of epithermal gold mineralization, showed 110 million tons of ore grading 2.2 grams per ton gold and 8.8 grams per ton silver. Navan was also exploring a promising copper mineralization at Pozharevo, in western Srednegoria, and had a 92% interest in the Chelopech gold and copper mine. The UK's Hereward Ventures won a tender for the Dikanyite exploration license, south of Sofia, a gold-producing area in antiquity that was associated with shear zones. The Asarel-Medet copper mining and beneficiation complex was privatized in 1999 through a management-employee buyout. In 2000, 80% of KCM SA, the country's producer of lead and zinc, was sold to its management.
In 1998, the National Program for Sustainable Development of Mining in Bulgaria was drafted and approved, and the Underground Resources Act was enacted. The latter, which aimed to promote private enterprise and foreign investment, stipulated that underground mineral wealth was the property of the state, and provided for claims by domestic and foreign companies for the development and operation of mineral deposits for up to 35 years with potential 15-year extensions. Improved economic performance at the end of the 1990s, the significant shift away from economic uncertainties during the transition from central economic planning, improving political stability in the Balkans, and greater investor confidence in the legal underpinnings of the growing privatization process combined to contribute to the $1 billion net foreign investment in 2000, one-third more than in 1999.

To Bulgaria, the most important mineral is coal. Coal mining in Bulgaria is vital since around 45% of electricity generation in the country is from coal and about 44% from nuclear. Reserves of lignite are estimated at some 2,500 Mt and there are also around 250 Mt of reserves of bituminous coal. Hard coal reserves are limited. Because of the importance of coal to the economy, it is considered that the administrative control imposed by the State is justified and must continue. Thus, although the industry is undergoing a period of substantial restructuring and privatisation, the process is not without its problems. About 80% of annual coal production of some 27 Mt/y is from the large Maritsa lignite field. The Chukurovo, Belibryag, Stanyanci and Vetren open-pit mines have been in private hands for over a year but, as regards the underground mines, only Lev and a part of the Bela Voda operations have been privatised. As a result, some small scale coal crushing and grinding plants are able to built in these area and bring high profit to the local mineral owner.

In 2003 the coal-mining companies produced 27 655 513 tons of coal, from which 25 335 296 tons were sold for the production of electric and heat power, 183 349 tons - for the heating of the population, 1 547 815 tons - for the production of briquettes and 163 875 tons for other consumers. 645 053 tons of briquettes were produced from the briquettable coal supplied from "Maritsa East Mines" EAD.
Coal mining in Bulgaria is vital since around 45% of electricity generation in the country is from coal and about 44% from nuclear. Reserves of lignite are estimated at some 2,500 Mt and there are also around 250 Mt of reserves of bituminous coal. Hard coal reserves are limited. Because of the importance of coal to the economy, it is considered that the administrative control imposed by the State is justified and must continue. Thus, although the industry is undergoing a period of substantial restructuring and privatisation, the process is not without its problems. About 80% of annual coal production of some 27 Mt/y is from the large Maritsa lignite field. The Chukurovo, Belibryag, Stanyanci and Vetren open-pit mines have been in private hands for over a year but, as regards the underground mines, only Lev and a part of the Bela Voda operations have been privatised.

Zenith Products In Bulgaria

Where there is mineral, there may be Zenith products. In Bulgaria, Zenith products are very popular, especially the sand making machine, and associate crushing and grinding equipments.
In Sofia, Mr Alex ever purchased one of our VSI9526 sand making machine, and we know that he plan to enlarge the scale in the near future by communicating with him. From his feedback, our sand making machine adapt to the local environment very well and it is fit for opreation to the local resident.
Also, in Sofia, we have good cooperation with one customer. We help them analysised their practical requirements, draft the design and supplied the matched crushing equipments for one 100-150tons per hour crushing plant. Now, this customer tell us it work very well.
In some other areas, some other ZENITH crushing and grinding machines can be fond, too. To know more details and to find the best solution and suitable crushing and grinding equipments, just be free to contact us.