10/23/2025
Science at the service of the future - 68th International Scientific Conference
St. Ivan Rilski University of Mining and Geology presented its achievements under the National Scientific Program "Critical and Strategic Raw Materials for Green Transition and Sustainable Development"
On October 17, 2025, the 68th International Scientific Conference of St. Ivan Rilski University of Mining and Geology was held at St. Ivan Rilski University of Mining and Geology – a prestigious forum that has been bringing together scientists, researchers, and industry representatives from Bulgaria and around the world for more than seven decades, united by the pursuit of sustainable development and innovation in the exploration, extraction, and processing of mineral resources and the conservation of natural resources. Among the highlights of this year's edition was the special Scientific Poster Session on "Effective extraction and processing of raw materials in Bulgaria and the potential for by-product extraction of critical raw materials," presenting results from the National Scientific Program (NSP) "Critical and Strategic Raw Materials for Green Transition and Sustainable Development," funded by the Ministry of Education and Science. The session was met with exceptional scientific and professional interest and attracted a wide audience of Bulgarian and foreign participants, representatives of academia, industry, and government. The atmosphere was filled with lively discussions, in-depth scientific reflections, and demonstrations of practical research results. Poster presentations were given during the session, reflecting innovative approaches, technological solutions, and analytical research aimed at the effective use of natural resources and sustainable management of processes. Among them, the following developments stood out: Angelov, A., Bratkova, S., Nikolova, K., Genova, P., Ivanov, R., Velichkova, P., Plochev, S. – "Microbial fuel cell-assisted system for the treatment of mining wastewater and its impact on treatment efficiency" Alexandrova, E., Dinchev, Z., Terziyski, D. – "Innovative mining technologies for the extraction of mineral resources with a focus on critical and strategic raw materials" Valchev, B., Marinova, K., Zareva, E. – "Critical and strategic raw materials in the Bulgarian context – educational impact and public awareness" Gicheva, G., Chanachev, Al. – "Extraction of bismuth from polymetallic ores: methods, challenges, and future directions" Grigorova, I., Petrov, M., Yankova, T., Nestorov, N. – "Antimony – a strategic metal in the context of global scarcity and energy transition" Nikolova, M., Georgiev, R., Spasova, I., Andreeva, M. – "Investigation of the possibilities for extracting copper from flotation waste by acid leaching" Nikolova, K., Genova, P., Ivanov, R., Velichkova, P. – "Review of the regulatory framework for the protection of water bodies affected by the mining industry" Petrova, V., Radev, Y. – "Technologies for the extraction and processing of critical and strategic raw materials. Global overview and prospects" Stoykov, S., Mihaylov, L., Pavlova, E. – "Geological location and mineral composition of the lowest exploitation horizons of the Kashana barite deposit (preliminary data)" Sofronieva, A., Dimitrov, I., Panayotova, M. – "Availability of vanadium in Bulgaria and prospects for its extraction" Sofronieva, A. – "Availability of critical and strategic metals in Bulgaria in the context of international priorities" The poster session presented results from work on key work packages and tasks from the National Program, including: Work package I.1. "Deposits and occurrences of critical and strategic raw materials in Bulgaria – clarification and reassessment of available quantities to identify geological areas with high potential for new discoveries of critical raw materials", task I.1.5. "Identification of geological areas with high potential for new discoveries of critical and strategic raw materials," work package I.4. Efficient extraction and processing of raw materials in Bulgaria and potential for by-product extraction of critical raw materials, and work package I.7. "Assessment of the socio-economic impact of the exploration and extraction of critical and strategic raw materials," task I.7.6. "Improvement of the information environment in Bulgaria regarding the availability of primary mineral resources by creating a framework to ensure reliable information security." The poster session attracted keen interest from international conference guests, who expressed admiration for the high level of research, the interdisciplinary approach, and the practical significance of the results. The event clearly demonstrated that science plays a key role in the future of Bulgaria's resource independence, and that St. Ivan Rilski University of Mining and Geology is at the forefront of research that paves the way for the sustainable use of natural resources for the benefit of society and ecological balance.
St. Ivan Rilski University of Mining and Geology presented its achievements under the National Scientific Program "Critical and Strategic Raw Materials for Green Transition and Sustainable Development"
On October 17, 2025, the 68th International Scientific Conference of St. Ivan Rilski University of Mining and Geology was held at St. Ivan Rilski University of Mining and Geology – a prestigious forum that has been bringing together scientists, researchers, and industry representatives from Bulgaria and around the world for more than seven decades, united by the pursuit of sustainable development and innovation in the exploration, extraction, and processing of mineral resources and the conservation of natural resources. Among the highlights of this year's edition was the special Scientific Poster Session on "Effective extraction and processing of raw materials in Bulgaria and the potential for by-product extraction of critical raw materials," presenting results from the National Scientific Program (NSP) "Critical and Strategic Raw Materials for Green Transition and Sustainable Development," funded by the Ministry of Education and Science. The session was met with exceptional scientific and professional interest and attracted a wide audience of Bulgarian and foreign participants, representatives of academia, industry, and government. The atmosphere was filled with lively discussions, in-depth scientific reflections, and demonstrations of practical research results. Poster presentations were given during the session, reflecting innovative approaches, technological solutions, and analytical research aimed at the effective use of natural resources and sustainable management of processes. Among them, the following developments stood out: Angelov, A., Bratkova, S., Nikolova, K., Genova, P., Ivanov, R., Velichkova, P., Plochev, S. – "Microbial fuel cell-assisted system for the treatment of mining wastewater and its impact on treatment efficiency" Alexandrova, E., Dinchev, Z., Terziyski, D. – "Innovative mining technologies for the extraction of mineral resources with a focus on critical and strategic raw materials" Valchev, B., Marinova, K., Zareva, E. – "Critical and strategic raw materials in the Bulgarian context – educational impact and public awareness" Gicheva, G., Chanachev, Al. – "Extraction of bismuth from polymetallic ores: methods, challenges, and future directions" Grigorova, I., Petrov, M., Yankova, T., Nestorov, N. – "Antimony – a strategic metal in the context of global scarcity and energy transition" Nikolova, M., Georgiev, R., Spasova, I., Andreeva, M. – "Investigation of the possibilities for extracting copper from flotation waste by acid leaching" Nikolova, K., Genova, P., Ivanov, R., Velichkova, P. – "Review of the regulatory framework for the protection of water bodies affected by the mining industry" Petrova, V., Radev, Y. – "Technologies for the extraction and processing of critical and strategic raw materials. Global overview and prospects" Stoykov, S., Mihaylov, L., Pavlova, E. – "Geological location and mineral composition of the lowest exploitation horizons of the Kashana barite deposit (preliminary data)" Sofronieva, A., Dimitrov, I., Panayotova, M. – "Availability of vanadium in Bulgaria and prospects for its extraction" Sofronieva, A. – "Availability of critical and strategic metals in Bulgaria in the context of international priorities" The poster session presented results from work on key work packages and tasks from the National Program, including: Work package I.1. "Deposits and occurrences of critical and strategic raw materials in Bulgaria – clarification and reassessment of available quantities to identify geological areas with high potential for new discoveries of critical raw materials", task I.1.5. "Identification of geological areas with high potential for new discoveries of critical and strategic raw materials," work package I.4. Efficient extraction and processing of raw materials in Bulgaria and potential for by-product extraction of critical raw materials, and work package I.7. "Assessment of the socio-economic impact of the exploration and extraction of critical and strategic raw materials," task I.7.6. "Improvement of the information environment in Bulgaria regarding the availability of primary mineral resources by creating a framework to ensure reliable information security." The poster session attracted keen interest from international conference guests, who expressed admiration for the high level of research, the interdisciplinary approach, and the practical significance of the results. The event clearly demonstrated that science plays a key role in the future of Bulgaria's resource independence, and that St. Ivan Rilski University of Mining and Geology is at the forefront of research that paves the way for the sustainable use of natural resources for the benefit of society and ecological balance.
On October 17, 2025, the 68th International Scientific Conference of St. Ivan Rilski University of Mining and Geology was held at St. Ivan Rilski University of Mining and Geology – a prestigious forum that has been bringing together scientists, researchers, and industry representatives from Bulgaria and around the world for more than seven decades, united by the pursuit of sustainable development and innovation in the exploration, extraction, and processing of mineral resources and the conservation of natural resources. Among the highlights of this year's edition was the special Scientific Poster Session on "Effective extraction and processing of raw materials in Bulgaria and the potential for by-product extraction of critical raw materials," presenting results from the National Scientific Program (NSP) "Critical and Strategic Raw Materials for Green Transition and Sustainable Development," funded by the Ministry of Education and Science. The session was met with exceptional scientific and professional interest and attracted a wide audience of Bulgarian and foreign participants, representatives of academia, industry, and government. The atmosphere was filled with lively discussions, in-depth scientific reflections, and demonstrations of practical research results. Poster presentations were given during the session, reflecting innovative approaches, technological solutions, and analytical research aimed at the effective use of natural resources and sustainable management of processes. Among them, the following developments stood out: Angelov, A., Bratkova, S., Nikolova, K., Genova, P., Ivanov, R., Velichkova, P., Plochev, S. – "Microbial fuel cell-assisted system for the treatment of mining wastewater and its impact on treatment efficiency" Alexandrova, E., Dinchev, Z., Terziyski, D. – "Innovative mining technologies for the extraction of mineral resources with a focus on critical and strategic raw materials" Valchev, B., Marinova, K., Zareva, E. – "Critical and strategic raw materials in the Bulgarian context – educational impact and public awareness" Gicheva, G., Chanachev, Al. – "Extraction of bismuth from polymetallic ores: methods, challenges, and future directions" Grigorova, I., Petrov, M., Yankova, T., Nestorov, N. – "Antimony – a strategic metal in the context of global scarcity and energy transition" Nikolova, M., Georgiev, R., Spasova, I., Andreeva, M. – "Investigation of the possibilities for extracting copper from flotation waste by acid leaching" Nikolova, K., Genova, P., Ivanov, R., Velichkova, P. – "Review of the regulatory framework for the protection of water bodies affected by the mining industry" Petrova, V., Radev, Y. – "Technologies for the extraction and processing of critical and strategic raw materials. Global overview and prospects" Stoykov, S., Mihaylov, L., Pavlova, E. – "Geological location and mineral composition of the lowest exploitation horizons of the Kashana barite deposit (preliminary data)" Sofronieva, A., Dimitrov, I., Panayotova, M. – "Availability of vanadium in Bulgaria and prospects for its extraction" Sofronieva, A. – "Availability of critical and strategic metals in Bulgaria in the context of international priorities" The poster session presented results from work on key work packages and tasks from the National Program, including: Work package I.1. "Deposits and occurrences of critical and strategic raw materials in Bulgaria – clarification and reassessment of available quantities to identify geological areas with high potential for new discoveries of critical raw materials", task I.1.5. "Identification of geological areas with high potential for new discoveries of critical and strategic raw materials," work package I.4. Efficient extraction and processing of raw materials in Bulgaria and potential for by-product extraction of critical raw materials, and work package I.7. "Assessment of the socio-economic impact of the exploration and extraction of critical and strategic raw materials," task I.7.6. "Improvement of the information environment in Bulgaria regarding the availability of primary mineral resources by creating a framework to ensure reliable information security." The poster session attracted keen interest from international conference guests, who expressed admiration for the high level of research, the interdisciplinary approach, and the practical significance of the results. The event clearly demonstrated that science plays a key role in the future of Bulgaria's resource independence, and that St. Ivan Rilski University of Mining and Geology is at the forefront of research that paves the way for the sustainable use of natural resources for the benefit of society and ecological balance.
