Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Tungsten mining project sparks outrage among Velingrad residents

Photo: Municipality of Velingrad

The municipality of Velingrad and NGOs in the town have spoken out against a new investment plan to extract tungsten from the Gruncharitsa deposit near the town. If the procedure is triggered, mass protests will be organized in Velingrad, a town famous for its spa resorts, reports BNR correspondent Nevena Petrova.

The dissatisfaction of the residents of Velingrad is caused by the fact that in the locality of Gruncharitsa is located it the town's water supply zone. In addition, the mining activity will negatively affect many protected animal species and will also compromise the tourist activity in the town, famous for its mineral springs. 

The intention of a Plovdiv-based company to mine tungsten dates back years, but due to protests the procedure was stopped. Surprisingly, however, the company renewed its intention a few days ago.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Blagomir Kotsev

Appellate Court-Sofia leaves Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev in custody

The Sofia Appellate Court left in custody Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev, who is charged with corruption and participation in an organized crime group.  The judgment is final. One of the three judges, Andrey Angelov, signed with a dissenting..

published on 10/17/25 11:03 AM

Justice Minister Georgiev discusses with the EC legislative changes related to the new payment under the RRP

Bulgaria’s Minister of Justice Georgi Georgiev conferred in Brussels with the European Commission team responsible for the Resilience and Recovery Plan (RRP) reforms in Bulgaria, reported the Ministry of Justice. EC: RRP payment depends on..

published on 10/17/25 9:51 AM

Bulgaria calls for the construction of a bridge over the Danube at Silistra–Călărași

''Only two bridges connect Bulgaria and Romania along our 475-kilometer shared river border – this is a transport shortfall and a new 'Iron Curtain' within the European Union'', said Bulgaria’s Deputy Premier and Minister of Transport and..

published on 10/17/25 9:05 AM