Mining

The Rosebel Gold Mine in Suriname is one of the most prominent industrial operations in the Guiana Shield, combining large-scale open-pit mining with complex logistical, environmental and social challenges. It illustrates how a modern gold operation can transform a remote tropical region into a hub of investment, employment and infrastructure, while also raising questions about […]

Lelydorp Mine in Suriname is one of the lesser‑known but historically important sites in the global story of **bauxite** extraction and the aluminum industry. Situated in a small South American country covered largely by rainforest, this mine ties together geology, colonial history, regional development, international trade, and environmental challenges. Understanding the mine and its surroundings

Sarakreek Bauxite Mine is one of the lesser-known but historically important mining areas in Suriname, a small country on the northern coast of South America. Although it does not enjoy the same fame as larger global mines in Australia or Guinea, Sarakreek played a relevant role in building Suriname’s reputation as a reliable exporter of

The Rudnik Mine in central Serbia is one of the country’s oldest and most historically important metal deposits, renowned above all for its production of lead and zinc ores. Situated on the slopes of the Rudnik Mountain, the mine has shaped local communities, supported regional industry and trade, and repeatedly drawn the attention of foreign

Veliki Krivelj Mine in eastern Serbia is one of the most important copper deposits in Southeast Europe and a cornerstone of the country’s non-ferrous metal industry. This vast open-pit operation combines complex geology, large-scale engineering and a long mining tradition that has shaped both the local landscape and the regional economy. Beyond its industrial role,

Majdanpek Mine in eastern Serbia is one of the most important copper deposits in Southeast Europe and a cornerstone of the country’s heavy industry. Situated in a mountainous, forested region close to the border with Romania and Bulgaria, the mine combines large open pits with underground operations and an extensive processing complex. For more than

The Bor mining complex in eastern Serbia is a focal point of the country’s extractive industry and a landmark in European copper production. Located in a landscape shaped by decades of industrial activity, this mining area has generated wealth, employment and controversy alike. Its history stretches from early small-scale extraction to a large modern operation

The Maritsa East mining complex is one of the most significant energy and industrial zones in Bulgaria and the wider Balkan region. Located in the warm plains of southern Bulgaria, the complex has been the backbone of domestic thermal electricity generation for decades. This article explores where the mines are, what is extracted there, the

The Elatsite Mine sits in the foothills of the Stara Planina range in central Bulgaria, and has been an important node in the country’s mineral industry for decades. As one of the better-known copper operations in the region, it combines large-scale open-pit mining with modern processing methods to produce copper-bearing concentrate and associated by-products. This

The Chelopech mine, set in the heart of Bulgaria’s mineral-rich mountain belt, is a major underground source of gold and copper that combines deep geological heritage with modern industrial practice. This article explores where the mine is located, what minerals it produces, its broader economic role for the region and the country, and a number