As a result of investments made in “Ellatzite” open-pit mine in 2007, extraction of mine masses from inception is due to reach 55 million tons. The produced ore will amount to approximately 12.7 million tons. These volumes set up a record for Bulgaria and the Balkans. During the past year some 100 million BGN have been invested in the “Ellatzite” open-pit mine.

In 2007, 62 million BGN have been invested by Ellatzite-Med AD in new mining machinery and mine development. Belaz and Hitachi auto dumpers with 100 t and 130 t capacities together with the biggest single-bucket excavators in the Balkan Peninsula were purchased. A new hydraulic excavator Hitachi with a bucket volume of 16 cub.m. has been put into operation. It is part of the equipment included in the investment program of the company and supplements the unique technological flow line at the mine complex. With the exploitation of a second diesel excavator Hitachi, the ore mining cycle is closed. In addition, Ellatzite-Med has a modern hydraulic crane – the biggest of its kind in Europe – manufactured by the German company Terex Mining – O&K.

In order to extend the lifetime of “Benkovski-II” tailings pond, the main pipelines have been reconstructed and a new shaft has been built at the flotation plant.

A new crusher has been put into operation at the crushing unit and cone crushers are being installed for the crushing of the ore waste product. Moreover, a new automatic system for technological control is successfully operating at this unit. It improves work organization, eases hard labor and provides optimal utilization of the machinery.

Granulometric equipment was also purchased to provide information concerning the size of incoming ores to the flotation unit. In the analysis laboratory the results are constantly monitored by means of three analyzers. Two of them show the metal content (in percent) in ores, concentrates and waste materials in the flow. The third analyzer examines hard samples, showing whether the others have reported the results correctly. According to the obtained data, the flotation process is being duly adjusted to achieve full automation of its operation. These analyzers constantly provide information about the extraction of copper from the copper concentrate and its quality.

At the mining complex, a new Primary Crushing Unit KET-3 is being constructed at elevation 930. Commissioning of this new crushing unit will considerably reduce transport costs and harmful emissions. A belt conveyor will be used for the transportation of ores from the primary crushing unit to the Medium and Fine Crushing Unit. Works are carried out also at the third construction stage with the aim of dewatering the mine by means of a drainage gallery at elevation 840.

The explosives plant has obtained ISO 9001 and ES1 certificates. Brand new, modern and efficient equipment has been recently put into operation at this plant.