BAS will seek rare earth metals in the Mini Maritsa coal deposits

The Bulgarian Academy of Sciences will analyse 40–60 samples taken from ten deep boreholes in three state-owned Mini Maritsa Iztok mines, in order to determine the concentrations of rare earth elements and critical raw materials in Bulgarian lignite coal. This information was released by the press office of the Council of Ministers.

Some of the samples will be sent to the University of North Dakota in the USA for analysis, to test the applicability of TerraCore technology, which will allow the production of a concentrate containing up to 90% of the 17 rare earth elements, as well as purified, high-calorie coal for industrial use. The profitability of the technology will then be analysed.

Earlier today, the Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH), the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, and Mini Maritsa Iztok officially signed an agreement committing them to cooperating in the exploration of critical raw materials and rare earth metals.

Editor: Miglena Ivanova
Posted in English by E. Radkova