Енергийна независимост и национална сигурност
The open cast mines operation activities are always associated with interference in nature and living space. Therefore, the coal mining and reclamation of the seized fields are the excessive important objectives of the Company.
From the viewpoint of the environment, the open coal mining is inextricably bounded up with change in environmental condition of a number of environment components - landscape, soil and green cover, air and climate, surface water and groundwater. The Company is aware of its responsibility to future generations and strictly complies with all environmental regulations and standards in conducting of mining activities, so after completion of mining works the fertility and landscape shall be restored.
As a responsible Employer, “Mini Maritsa – iztok” EAD relates with great attention to its employees and strictly comply with the requirements in force in the Republic of Bulgaria laws and regulations regarding health and safety at work.
The activities of "Mini Maritsa - iztok" EAD are strictly kept to the EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) (issued in 1998) and are carried out under a concession contract dated 2005. The control over the implementation of the policy for environmental protection is carried out by the Ministry of Environment and Water and relevant government agencies.The Company has obtained two Complex Permits-№ 398-H0 / 2010 and № 403-H0 / 2010 for the exploitation of embankments, where industrial waste from the TPP is deposited to the landfills specified for non-hazardous waste areas and certified to ISO standards issued by “TUF Reinland Bulgaria” EOOD.
According to the concession contract dated 11th of August, 2005
for the extraction of underground natural resources
in East Maritsa Coal Basin between the Grantor - Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Concessionaire - "Mini Maritza-Iztok" EAD, a commitment is made to carry out environmental, water and living environment conservation measures in the concession area. The Company is obliged (in compliance with Art. 27 and Art. 30 of the Concession contract) upon carrying out the mining activities to adhere to all applicable laws and regulations, regulating the environmental and water protection, as well as measures for the prevention of landslides, erosion, and uncontrolled groundwater spills.
An annual budget for activities and reclamation costs and bio-reclamation planned to be carried out in the relevant year shall be included in each major annual operation plan approved by the Ministry of Energy. The Ministry of Energy has also approved a schematic project for leaving the concession area, including activities and costs for removal of facilities, technical and biological reclamation.
The company recognizes its responsibility to future generations and strictly complies with all environmental requirements and regulations related to the mining work, so fertility and landscape can be restored after mining closure.
A complex of measures for preservation and restoration of the environment in the mining complex is applied, the most important of which are:
1) Collection and disposal of the humus soil. It is applicable to the mining fronts and embanking as to be used for future reclamation.
2) Technical reclamation and biological reclamation;
3) Environmental sound treatment of industrial waste generated by the Company's activities;
4) Strictly observing the requirements related to the management of hazardous waste, including:
In June 2014, an environmental and social impacts assessment of the Project with all stakeholders was executed by Mica Environmental Ltd., assigned by EBRD, to confirm the compliance with EBRD E&S Policy (2008) and to assess the possible negative consequences of the existing facilities The ecological analysis shows that “Mini Maritsa – iztok” EAD meets the EU directive (92/43/ЕC) on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora and the EU directive (2006/118/EC) on the protection of groundwater against pollution and deterioration. “Mini Maritsa – iztok” EAD complies with the requirements of the Seveso EU directive, controlling the major-accident hazards, including dangerous substances. The monitoring regime imposed on the MME according to its permit is observed with the help of its wells around the site monitoring. "Mini Maritsa-iztok"EAD meet the spirit of the Directive through their monitoring wells around the site and compliance with the monitoring regime placed on them through their permit.