Assarel-Medet Mining and Processing Complex is the first, biggest and leading company for open pit mining and processing of copper ores in Bulgaria, providing around 50 percent of the national production of the vital metal, copper.The company is a main factor for the social and economic development and overall image of the municipality of Panagyurishte and the district of Pazardzhik, in Bulgaria. It has a definite significance for the Bulgarian economy, as one of the leading industrial organisations with an important contribution to the raw materials independence and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country, which stood higher than even Germany‘s at 0.6 percent in quarter three of 2014. Now over 1,300 people are working in the company and another 400 are employed in subsidiaries and joint ventures.The Medet Mining and Processing Complex was commissioned on 29 December, 1964, and since 1991 has become a joint-stock company through consolidation. Its main activity is open pit mining and processing of copper and copper-pyrite ores, biochemical leaching of copper and the associated trade and engineering activities.Professor Lachezar Tsotsorkov PhD, Chairperson of the Assarel-Medet Supervisory Board, said: “We were the first company in Bulgaria to begin the mining of ores and minerals, and today Assarel-Medet processes about 13 million tonnes of ore per year, ensuring sustainable development, production and thorough utilisation of minerals at the Assarel deposit.“ We are ISO certified and work in compliance with the three major international standards for quality management, environment protection and occupational health and safety. We have traditionally been a pioneer in the mining industry with regards to the implementation of new state-of-the-art equipment and new technologies.“

Sustainability and CSR Since the privatisation of the company, Assarel-Medet has won more than 50 awards. The numerous national and international awards obtained are a token of the high prestige and social trust it has gained.Professor Tsotsorkov said: “Since 1989 the company has built in the municipality of Panagyurishte over 1,000 apartments, two schools, two kindergartens, a stadium, cultural center, dozens of shops, ski run and ski lift, sports grounds, correction of Luda Yana river, covered market, reconstruction of Tsar Osvoboditel Square and the city park, sewage and street lighting, repair of churches and much more.“ The company and its shareholders donate funds annually for construction of infrastructure projects and development of health, culture, education, social activities, sports and tourism in the municipality of Panagyurishte. All of this has radically improved the city’s landscape and significantly increased the standard of living in the municipality.“