site.btaBAS to Analyze Samples From 10 Boreholes to Determine Concentration of Raw Materials

The Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) will analyze between 40 and 60 samples from each of the ten deep boreholes already drilled in the three Mini Maritsa Iztok company mines, in order to determine the concentrations of rare earth elements and critical raw materials according to a Thursday statement from the press office of the Council of Ministers.

Some of the samples will be sent to the University of North Dakota in the USA for analysis, where the applicability of the TerraCore technology will be tested. This will allow the production of a concentrate containing up to 90% of 17 rare earth elements, as well as purified high-calorie coal for industrial purposes. Once the analyses are complete, a socio-economic analysis of the technology's profitability will be prepared. 

Earlier on Thursday, an agreement was officially signed by the Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH), the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and Mini Maritsa Iztok, committing them to cooperate in the exploration of critical raw materials and rare earth metals. During the event, outgoing Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said that the Maritsa Basin has opportunities and potential, and that the region could be extremely important for developing Bulgarian competitiveness. Outgoing Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov also attended the event and has repeatedly emphasized at public events in 2025 the potential of coal for extracting rare earth elements and the critical raw materials they contain.