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Bulgaria

Legislation

  • Subsurface Resources Act 1999 (as amended)
  • Environmental Protection Law 2002 (as amended)

Regulatory Risk Rating

Critical
Regulatory Risk

Regulatory Corruption Risk

Extremely High
Regulatory Corruption Risk

Corruption Exposure Risk

Moderate
Corruption Exposure Risk
Regulatory Risk Rating Factors Risk Level
First Come / First Serve Subscribe
Application Criteria Subscribe
Duration Subscribe
Right to Renew Subscribe
Competing Licences Subscribe
Mineral Coverage Subscribe
Right to Mine Subscribe
Criteria for Mining Rights Subscribe
Tenure Subscribe
Surface Rights Subscribe

Registration of a mineral discovery does not alter the surface ownership, nor the purpose and use of the surface land (Art. 74(1), SRA). Licences and Concessions grant the holder only the right to use legal and other resources to reach an agreement with the holder of land rights in the area (Art. 74(2), SRA). The agreement can either provide for a transfer of the land rights or the right of use of the land and shall set out the applicable terms and remuneration (Art. 75(1), SRA). In such cases, compensation must be determined on the basis of the damages caused as a direct result of the activities undertaken (Art. 76(1), SRA). If upon the expiry of a Licence or Concession, the land can no longer be used for its purpose prior to mining or exploration, then the property shall be expropriated in accordance with the applicable laws on expropriat

Contents

Legislation

  • Subsurface Resources Act 1999 (as amended)
  • Environmental Protection Law 2002 (as amended)

Regulatory Risk Rating

Critical
Regulatory Risk

Regulatory Corruption Risk

Extremely High
Regulatory Corruption Risk

Corruption Exposure Risk

Moderate
Corruption Exposure Risk

Overview

Bulgaria’s mining sector is an important economic contributor, and the country has one of the more active industries in Europe. The sector is responsible for around 5% of Bulgaria’s GDP and various minerals, including copper and petroleum, are amongst the main exports. Some of the minerals currently mined in the country are copper, coal, lead, zinc, gypsum, polymetal ores, bentonite and kaolin. There has been increased interest and investment in Bulgaria’s mining sector in recent years. Canadian mining company, Dundee Precious Metals has several mining and exploration projects in the country and is the current operator of the Chelopech mine – one of Bulgaria’s largest gold mines. Bulgaria is amongst the top three European producers of copper, gold and lignite.  

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