Energy Minister Pledges Continued Support for Mining Sector Amid High Electricity Costs

Kamelia Tsvetanova, Metodi Yordanov

Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov (BTA Photo/Minko Chernev)

Sofia,

18.08.2025 13:43

(BTA)

Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov has committed to continuing the financial support measures for the mining sector to help offset high electricity prices. The announcement was made during a ceremony as part of the national celebration of Miner's Day, held here on Monday.

Stankov recalled that the department responsible for issuing concessions, oversight, and managing the database of underground resources at the Ministry of Energy was the first one he oversaw during his time as Deputy Minister. At that time, a long-term strategy for the mining sector—developed in collaboration with the Bulgarian Chamber of Mining and Geology—was launched, with a horizon extending to 2050. While it is functioning, he noted, it must continue to evolve.

“We are currently in the era of digitalization and artificial intelligence, but people remain the industry's greatest asset,” Stankov stated.

He highlighted that the sector is experiencing sustainable development—not only through increased extraction and labor productivity thanks to new technologies—but also through enhanced worker safety, higher budget revenues, and new investments in the extraction of rare metals and raw materials.

“The 120,000 people directly and indirectly employed in the industry deserve to celebrate because they ensure the security and transformation of the energy sector. Without the mining of copper, zinc, gold, silver, and platinum, that transformation simply isn’t possible,” he emphasized.

The Minister also stressed that the state has always stood by the mining sector in difficult times.

/NZ/