Non-governmental organisations in Bulgaria called for the cancellation of the Chelopech Mining concession.

According to Radi Radev from Ecoforum organisation, the concessionaire’s work violated natural resource extraction regulations.

Representatives of various NGOs, among which Ecoforum, Cyanide Free Bulgaria and
Podzemni Bogatstva (Underground Treasures) took part in a press conference on the topic on May 31.

Investors were looking for profit, regardless of the harm done, Radev said.

NGOs said that the responsible state institutions have failed to act adequately and protect regional and environmental interests.

Chelopech is one of the richest gold deposit regions in Bulgaria. The concessionaire there was extracting gold using cyanides, something that should not be done close to a settlement, Radev said.

Radev said that Environment and Water Affairs Minister Djevdet Chakurov said that the concession is unprofitable for Bulgaria.

Canadian company Dundee Precious Metals is mining concessionaire in the Chelopech region.