Four directors of institutes at BAS participated in a press conference to present the first stage of implementation of the “Critical and Strategic Raw Materials for Green Transition and Sustainable Development” National Scientific Program: Prof. Irena Zareva from the Economic Research Institute, Prof. Svetoslav Georgiev, PhD, from the Geological Institute, Prof. Emilia Chengelova, DSc, from the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, and Prof. Antoaneta Hristova, PhD, from the Institute for Population and Human Studies.
The national program is implemented by 14 institutions, coordinated by the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, which is represented by eight institutes. The institutes in the “Man and Society” division are participating in Work Package 7: “Assessment of Socio-Economic Impact” within the framework of the program.
Key points from the press conference: Mining companies have the necessary capacity and are interested in extracting critical and strategic raw materials but without the state committing to speeding up and simplifying the complex permitting and concession procedures they are reluctant to invest in this sector. The development of new deposits requires significant financial resources, and the process of actual extraction can take more than 15 years.
Among the main social challenges facing the extraction and processing of raw materials are partially negative public attitudes, and active and targeted work with public opinion is needed as early as the exploration and research stage, said Assoc. Prof. Dochka Velkova from the Economic Research Institute of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.
Also important are: the development of a National Strategy for CSRM, the establishment of a National Geological Service, the updating of legislation in the field of underground resources and concessions, the strengthening of administrative capacity and the training of highly qualified personnel as well as the active search for and exploration of new deposits.
