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

 Apostolos Tzitzikostas.

Bulgaria, Greece and Romania have finalized a memorandum for joint cooperation on transport projects

Bulgaria, Greece and Romania have finalized a memorandum for joint cooperation on new transport projects, said European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas. He stated that an agreement for the..

published on 10/20/25 11:54 AM
The memorial plaque of St. John of Rila on the cathedral in Esztergom, in honor of the Day of Hungarian-Bulgarian Friendship

Bulgarian priest proposes prayer service for successful peace talks in Budapest

Russia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Grushko stated that Moscow has not held talks regarding a possible overflight of President Vladimir Putin’s plane over Poland, Romania and Bulgaria on the way to Budapest. “It is still too early..

published on 10/20/25 9:36 AM
Daniel Mitov

Bulgaria's Minister of Interior says that Russian intelligence services are aiding illegal migration

Russian spies and hard-left humanitarian groups are working with people smugglers to food Europe with illegal migrants, wrote '' The Times'' , quoting Bulgaria’s Minister of Interior Daniel Mitov. Daniel Mitov said that the Bulgarian government..

published on 10/20/25 9:19 AM