Celebrating Miners’ Day and 35 Years of BCMG
Representatives of the mining industry, government institutions, academia, partner organisations, veterans and students gathered at the Sofia Balkan Palace on 18 August for the National Celebration of Miners’ Day 2026 and the 35th anniversary of the Bulgarian Chamber of Mining and Geology (BCMG).
The celebration took place on the Day of the Assumption of St Ivan Rilski, traditionally regarded as the patron saint of Bulgarian miners. As the country’s largest gathering of the mining community, the event highlighted the sector’s contribution to Bulgaria’s economic development and its importance to Europe’s industrial resilience and green transition.
Together with Ivan Mitev, CEO of the Bulgarian Chamber of Mining and Geology; Iva Petrova, Bulgaria’s Minister of Energy; Member of the European Parliament Radan Kanev and Philippe-Giuseppe K., Economic Councillor of the Austrian Economic Chamber in Bulgaria, the ceremony recognised the achievements of mining professionals and reflected on BCMG’s progress over the past 35 years. It also highlighted the importance of cooperation between industry, policymakers, academia and European partners in addressing the challenges facing the mineral resources sector.
Roman Stiftner, vice president of Euromines, who joined the celebration received a special individual award in recognition of his contribution to developing the cooperation within the industry.