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

Bulgarian President Radev will no longer use National Guard Service transport

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev has announced that as of October 20 this year he will travel to work in his personal car. “When a law is being adopted that forces people to do state work in their personal cars, I will stand in solidarity with them,” he..

published on 10/16/25 2:53 PM
General Major Nikolay Rusev

Bulgaria will seek a system for maximum protection against drones

We want to buy a system that has maximum protection against drones. This does not mean that it has a mechanical effect on the drone, but at least that it has some electromagnetic or blocking control of the device. This was explained to BNT by Maj. Gen...

published on 10/16/25 1:22 PM
General Major Nikolay Rusev

Bulgaria will seek a system for maximum protection against drones

We want to buy a system that has maximum protection against drones. This does not mean that it has a mechanical effect on the drone, but at least that it has some electromagnetic or blocking control of the device. This was explained to BNT by Maj. Gen...

published on 10/16/25 1:22 PM