Traditions with a Future
Our chronicle dates back to the intensive geological explorations in the Panagyurishte Ore Region in the mid-20th century which culminated in the construction of the Medet Mining and Processing Complex - the first mining enterprise in the world to effectively process ores with an average copper grade of less than 0.4% - a practice that subsequently became routine for the global mineral and raw materials industry.
Medet Mining and Processing Complex operated from its opening in 1964 until its closure as a state-owned enterprise in 1994. The professional path of generations of mining specialists from the Panagyurishte municipality is connected with it, whose work provides about 80% of the national needs for copper. The former mining facilities are state assets and now continue to be managed by the state-owned company Eco Anthracite EOOD.
While Medet was at the acme of its development, geological explorations in the Panagyurishte ore region were continued with foresight to create the Asarel Mining and Processing Complex which continues the traditions of mining in the region.
The first sod of the Asarel mine was laid in 1976, and the construction of the Asarel concentrator plant was successfully completed at the end of the watershed year of 1989. This creates new prospects for sustainable socio-economic development and prosperity of the municipality of Panagyurishte in the next decades.
Asarel-Medet is on a long journey of restructuring, modernization and digital transformation in the 21st century. Thanks to investments in long-term sustainable development, the company is already achieving technological results that were unthinkable at the beginning of the company's history.
In the era of high-tech mining, when copper is a strategic and critical commodity for the green transition, information technology and defense, we are implementing state-of-the-art innovations and looking with ambition towards our investment program until 2040.
Important dates
- 1956 – 1986
- 1986 – 2006
- 2006 – 2015
- 2016 – 2025
- 2026 →
1956 – 1986
1986 г.
Asarel-Medet Technological Mining and Processing Complex
united the Medet Mining Complex (1964-1994), the Asarel Mine and the facilities under construction of the Asarel Concentrator Plant .
1976 г.
The first sod of the experimental Asarel ore section
1968 г.
the Asarel copper deposit in the mining region of Panagyurishte
1964 г.
Official inauguration of Medet Mining and Processing Complex on December 29, 1964.
1961 г.
Medet Mining and Processing Complex
1956 г.
Advanced exploration of the Medet copper deposit in the ore region of Panagyurishte.
1986 – 2006
2006 г.
Icarus Award for Innovation from the Bulgarian Industrial Chamber
2005 г.
Honorary badge of merit to Panagyurishte for the company's team for the significant and lasting contribution to the municipality's development
Municipal Sponsor Award from the National Association of Municipalities in Republic of Bulgaria.
2005 г.
The first stage of Asarel Concentrator Plant modernization was completed. The obsolete equipment has been replaced with modern equipment from leading world manufacturers
The first flotation 160 cubic meter cells in the Northern Hemisphere began operating in Flotation Section Two.
2005 г.
The first automated dispatch system for the Bulgarian mining industry for managing technological processes in the Asarel mine set high standards for the industry, October 17, 2005
2005 г.
The company's 40th anniversary was marked by the first First Class Investor Certificate awarded to a Bulgarian company
Large-scale investment in new mining equipment from the world's leading manufacturers.
2003 г.
Adherence to the UN Global Compact Principles.
2003 г.
First issue of the monthly company publication Zaedno (Together), successor to the traditions of Medetska Tribunea (Medet Tribune).
2003 г.
The first for the Bulgarian heavy industry Integrated Management System under the three main international standards - for quality, environmental protection and occupational health and safety, December 10, 2023.
2002 г.
The first certificate for the country under the international standard ISO 14001 for environmental protection, January 23, 2022.
2002 г.
Municipal Sponsor Award from the National Association of Municipalities in Republic of Bulgaria for 2001/2002.
2001 г.
The first company program for social projects in the municipality of Panagyurishte.
2000 г.
The first in Bulgarian mining Cyclic Conveyor System for waste haulage in the Asarel mine which is the company's first major investment in the 21st century.
1999 г.
The first Bulgarian privatization in the mining sector, June 15, 1999.
The Asarel-Invest Workers' and Managers' Association attracted a strategic foreign partner, did not use any legally provided preferences and over 2,000 former and current workers, specialists and managers were among the company's shareholders.
1999 г.
First in the mining industry to receive certification under the international ISO 9001 Quality Management Standard, February 10, 1999.
1998 г.
The first concession for the extraction of underground natural resources in the country to Asarel-Medet EAD, December 23, 1998.
1994 г.
Government decree to close Medet Mining and Processing Complex the facilities and assets of whichhcontinue to be managed by the state-owned company Eco Anthracite EOOD.
1991 г.
Asarel-Medet is the founder and initiator of the establishment of the Bulgarian Chamber of Mining and Geology.
Its first chairperson was the Executive Director Eng. Lachezar Tsotsorkov who remained at the head of the industry organization until 2016 and set high standards for the sustainable development of the mineral and raw materials industry.
1991 г.
Transformation of Asarel-Medet into a state-owned joint-stock company.
1989 г.
Asarel Concentrator Planton December 6, 1989. The first produced ton of copper concentrate was shipped to Pirdop Smelter.
1988 г.
The country's first corporate environmental monitoring system in partnership with the academic community.
2006 – 2015
2015 г.
Quality Award bestowed by the Confederation of Employers and Industrialists in Bulgaria
2015 г.
Highest rated employer in the mining industry in a study by the Bulgarian Industrial Association and the Confederation of Bulgarian Trade Unions
2015 г.
Dual education program at the Professional High School for Industrial Technologies, Management and Tourism in Panagyurishte
2015 г.
Asarel sports hall in Panagyurishte
established as a public-private partnership between Asarel-Medet JSC and Panagyurishte Municipality, August 20, 2015
2014 г.
Launch of a company initiative to recognize babies born to the families of company employees
2014 г.
First certificate under the voluntary standard for sustainable development of the mineral and raw materials industry of the Bulgarian Chamber of Mining and Geology
2012 г.
Donation of Asarel-Medet JSC and Dr. Eng. Lachezar Tsotsorkov as a patron of culture for the construction of the treasure hall of the Golden Treasure of Panagyurishte in the Museum of History
The Thracian treasure returned to Panagyurishte for the first time on April 12, 2012, when the new exhibition was opened.
2012 г.
The Award for Occupational Health and Safe Conditions
By the General Labor Inspectorate and the Municipal Sponsor Award by the National Association of Municipalities in Republic of Bulgaria
2011 г.
Establishment of the Asarel corporate foundation for public benefit
2011 г.
Investor of the Year in the Green Investment category
2011 г.
Investment projects for over 75 million Euro
A new cyclic conveyor system for openpit material haulage, the country's first solvent extraction and electrowinning plant for copper cathodes, a new drainage water treatment plant and Kaleto Small Hydroelectric Power Plant, May 31, 2011.
2011 г.
Opening of the renovated Miner's House - Kamengrad Hotel & SPA in Panagyurishte
with a swimming pool, spa center and conference complex, which create new opportunities for tourism development in Panagyurishte, April 2, 2011
2009 г.
The Executive Director, Dr. Eng. Lachezar Tsotsorkov, was elected Manager of the Year by Manager magazine and Deloitte – Bulgaria
2009 г.
National Media Award for Social Responsibility, awarded by Pari newspaper
2009 г.
First industry award for a socially responsible campaign for a mining company bestowed following a journalistic poll
2009 г.
Prometheus Award of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria for high occupational health and safety standards
2008 г.
Awarded as one of the best employers in Central and Eastern Europe
2007 г.
Investor of the Year in the mining industry for the modernization of the entire technological flow
2016 – 2025
2025 г.
Social Impact Award by the UN Global Compact Network Bulgaria for contribution to the sustainable development of Panagyurishte
and first place in the competition for socially responsible strategic management for the benefit of society from the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy
2025 г.
Asarel-Medet JSC celebrated its 60th anniversary with a company holiday in the village of Panagyurski Kolonii and honored the veteran miners who began their career in 1964.
160 awards were awarded for professionalism and long-term service to the team members.
2025 г.
Award by the General Directorate of Fire Safety and Population Protection
and a Certificate of Appreciation by the Forestry Agency for assistance in extinguishing forest fires in 2024.
2024 г.
National Award Innovative Enterprise of the Year in the field of Innovation Management
Acknowledgement of the company's achievements, impact and effectiveness of innovation
2023 г.
Renewal of the main transport equipment and commissioning of the fifth hydraulic shovel with an electric drive in the Asarel mine
2023 г.
The largest ball mill in the Balkans was introduced into the Concentrator Plant, equipped with a new generation expert automated system.
2023 г.
Asarel-Medet JSC, together with the Geophysical Institute of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, participated in the AGEMERA research project
to explore the European potential for the mining of critical raw materials and innovative methods for non-invasive geological exploration
2023 г.
Tenth Industry Award for Nature Care from the Bulgarian Chamber of Mining and Geology
2023 г.
Business Honoris Causa Award for investments in the regions by the 24 Chasa newspaper
2022 г.
The Chairperson of the Supervisory Board of Asarel-Medet, Dimitar Tsotsorkov was elected Mr. Economy by Economy magazine and Confederation of Employers and Industrialists of Bulgaria
2022 г.
The corporate scholarship program Together with You receives the great award of the Council of Women in Business in Bulgaria
as an inspiring initiative for equality and inclusion in the workplace
2022 г.
Pioneer Award for digital transformation and progress on the Sustainable Development Goals from the UN Global Compact
for the Chairperson of the Supervisory Board Dimitar Tsotsorkov, who is the first Bulgarian and manager of a mining company in the world with this distinction.
2021 г.
Partner of Municipalities Award of the National Association of Municipalities in Bulgaria
2021 г.
2021 Industry Award for Innovation from the Bulgarian Chamber of Mining and Geology for participation in the X-Mine international research project
2021 г.
Modernization of the control panel for the Asarel Concentrator Plant with the Siemens PCS7 system
2020 г.
Care for Nature and Corporate Social Responsibility awards and recognition for participation in donation initiatives to combat the global coronavirus pandemic
2020 г.
A broad company program for anti-epidemic measures, health prevention and social support in the context of a global coronavirus pandemic
2019 г.
Award for overall contribution to the development of the mineral and raw materials industry for the Executive Director, Eng. Delcho Nikolov, from the Bulgarian Chamber of Mining and Geology
2018 г.
Certificate for energy management according to the international standard ISO 50 001 which upgraded the Integrated Management System
2018 г.
Another Golden Rhyton Award for Investments from the Entrepreneurs' Association in Panagyurishte
2017 г.
National Award Innovative Enterprise of the Year in the field of Green Innovation
An acknowledgement for the unique project for technical and biological rehabilitation of the Leach Dump as an operating mining facility
2017 г.
Occupational Health and Safety and Care for Nature awards for the fourth time and the Social Responsibility Award for the fifth time from the Bulgarian Chamber of Mining and Geology on the occasion of Miner's Day
2017 г.
Invitation to participate in the European research project on future mining technologies X-Mine as the sole representative of Bulgarian business
2016 г.
Annual Award for Contribution to the Economy of the Republic of Bulgaria from the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
2016 г.
Award for overall contribution to the national economy from the Confederation of Employers and Industrialists in Bulgaria
2016 г.
Investor of the Year award for Asarel Panagyurishte Zdrave JSC for the public-private partnership that built the Uni Hospital Hospital
2016 г.
Inaguration of Uni Hospital General Medical Treatment Facility
built through a public-private partnership between Asarel-Medet, Panagyurishte Municipality and attracted investments, including physicians and medical specialists from the region, June 11, 2016.
2016 г.
A new cyclic conveyor system for ore haulage and new mining equipment was commissioned at the Asarel mine
The Asarel Concentrator Plant has been modernized where 46 flotation cells were implemented, 8 of which have a tank volume of 160 cubic meters.
2026 →
2026 г.
Participation in the OPTIMAL MINE international research project
for the development of innovative geotechnical software as the sole representative of the Bulgarian business.
