Ellatzite-Med opens a new high-tech wastewater treatment plant
A new high-tech wastewater treatment plant was officially inaugurated on 11 February 2026, marking the 51st anniversary of the founding of Ellatzite Copper Mining and Processing Plant. It is the third wastewater treatment plant on the territory of Ellatzite Mine Complex, playing a pivotal role in the company’s long-term strategy for sustainable water management and environmental protection.
Among the official guests were His Eminence Metropolitan Gavriil of Lovech, the Mayor of Etropole Municipality M.Eng Vladimir Aleksandrov, Mrs. Boryana Keremidska – Chair of Etropole Municipal Council, Mr Ivaylo Georgiev – Deputy Mayor of Etropole Municipality, M.Eng. Irena Petkova – Director of RIEW-Sofia, Mr Tsvetelin Pavlov – Director of the Danube Region Basin Directorate, Dr Maria Natcheva-Schwartz – Country Director of EnviroChemie Bulgaria, M.Eng. Petko Gatev from SGS Bulgaria, a representative of the construction supervision. GEOTECHMIN GROUP was represented by Prof. DSc. Eng. Tzolo Voutov, PhD Eng. Vladimir Vutov, PhD Eng. Ivan Vutov, Mr Dominic Hamers, and other senior managers and employees from the Group.
In his welcoming speech, Prof. DSc. Eng. Tzolo Voutov, President of Geotechmin and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Ellatzite-Med, emphasized that the sustainable development of the mining industry is only possible when economic success goes hand in hand with care for nature and people. ‘Business cannot exist in isolation – it must be aligned with social policy, environmental responsibility and the protection of water and air. Thanks to the joint efforts of Ellatzite-Med and Geotechmin, our subsidiaries and local communities, we have achieved a balance between business, ecology and social accountability,’ said Prof. Voutov.
The Executive Director of Ellatzite-Med M.Eng. Dragomir Draganov noted that the new wastewater treatment plant represents the final phase of the company’s Integrated Water Resources Management Concept through 2031. He emphasized that the project was implemented using the company’s own funds, in accordance with all regulatory procedures and the required permits issued by the Regional Inspectorate for Environment and Water, and the River Basin Directorate. ‘This project clearly demonstrates our consistency and responsibility in managing environmental aspects, in full compliance with Bulgarian legislation and European best practices,’ said M.Eng. Draganov.
The Mayor of Etropole Municipality M.Eng. Vladimir Aleksandrov described the new facility as a project of national significance. ‘The wastewater treatment plant is of key importance not only for Etropole Municipality, but also for the entire region. Over the past 20 years, this is the third wastewater treatment plant that has been built on the mine site. We should all be very proud of this, and I am delighted, as Mayor, because few mines can boast of having more than one wastewater treatment plant on their territory. This is perhaps the only mine in Bulgaria with three modern wastewater treatment facilities,’ he said, wishing the team operating the plant every success.
The technological aspect of the project was presented by Dr Maria Natcheva-Schwartz, Country Director of EnviroChemie Bulgaria, who explained that the plant treats 360 m³ of water per hour, removing heavy metals and pollutants with utmost precision. But that is only the technical part of it, which we can see. There is another aspect to this – the people. The people from Ellatzite-Med, the people from Geostroy, Geotrading and Geoproject. Together with the EnviroChemie’s team, they have formed a wonderful team, which is at the heart of this successful project – the construction of this wastewater treatment plant. ‘Every drop of water that is collected or returned to the recirculation cycle is treated without compromise before it is discharged,’ she added.
The opening ceremony concluded with a water-blessing service for good health and safe operation, jointly conducted by His Eminence Metropolitan Gavriil of Lovech and Father Emil. His Eminence Gavriil emphasized that protecting the environment is a supreme duty and congratulated the management team on their responsible attitude toward people’s health. ‘You take care of people’s well-being and prosperity by offering them jobs and investing in their good health.’
After the official ribbon-cutting, the guests toured the new facility and were introduced to the technological processes by M.Eng. Stanimir Gergov, Head of the Wastewater Treatment and Hydrotechnical Facilities Unit.
The new wastewater treatment plant occupies an area of 4,336 m2 in close proximity to the existing wastewater treatment facility, which operates using a technology of the Japanese company MMTEC. Its commissioning is part of Ellatzite-Med’s long-term programme for modernization, sustainable water management, and reduction of its environmental footprint.
From an ecological perspective, the facility makes a significant contribution to improving water quality in the region. The treated waters are discharged into the River Negarshtitsa, a tributary of the River Malak Iskar, in full compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements.
