The MOEW issued an opinion on an investment proposal "Development of lead, zinc and copper ores from the mines ‘Podvirovi’ and ‘Popovitsa’ in the area of Karamanitsa, municipality of Bosilegrad".

The Environmental Impact Assessment Report does not comprehensively and in detail assess the possible significant environmental impact of the project in a transboundary aspect, including impacts on surface water, groundwater and water protection zones in the Dragovishtitsa river catchment area on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria. The Report does not identify, develop and propose sufficiently appropriate measures to mitigate and eliminate potential impacts on environmental components and factors.

A positive assessment of the admissibility of the investment proposal cannot be given from both an environmental and a health point of view.

The MOEW will insist that all its remarks on the report be addressed and that a public consultation be organised also on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria.

The opinion of the MOEW on the transboundary procedure can be found here: https://www.moew.government.bg/bg/proekt-za-eksploataciya-na-rudi-ot-olovo-cink-i-med-ot-nahodistata-podvirovi-i-popovica-v-rajona-na-karamanica-kraj-bosilegrad-s-vuzlojitel-bosil-metal-bosilegrad/