Ellatzite-Med top managers share their career growth stories with UMG students
More than 150 students from the University of Mining and Geology “St Ivan Rilski” (UMG) took part in the annual Career Development Day, organized this year by Assarel-Medet. Now in its fourth consecutive year, the forum continues to attract leading mining companies including GEOTECHMIN GROUP, Dundee Precious Metals, and Assarel-Medet.
‘Five years ago, we spoke with PhD Eng. Ivan Vutov about the future of the mining industry and ways to engage young people. The big mining companies – Assarel-Medet, Dundee Precious Metals and GEOTECHMIN GROUP – managed to do something unprecedented in Bulgaria by bringing together students, industry employers in need of qualified specialists, and UMG graduates who are now top managers in these companies,’ said Prof. PhD Eng. Ivaylo Koprev, Rector of the mining Alma Mater.
Representing GEOTECHMIN GROUP, two senior managers from Ellatzite-Med – the Group’s largest company – participated in the discussion: M.Eng. Georgi Petrov, Deputy General Director of the Ore Minerals Division, and M.Eng. Lyubomir Svilenov, Deputy Director of the Mine Complex. They shared their career growth stories with the students.
M.Eng. Georgi Petrov is a second-generation graduate of the University of Mining and Geology. He earned a scholarship for academic excellence at UMG, followed by another scholarship at Ellatzite-Med. Over the past 24 years, he has held various positions within the mining company, contributing to its success. Speaking to the students, he shared that he has visited mines across three continents to exchange knowledge and expertise.
M.Eng. Lyubomir Svilenov chose mining engineering for its better career opportunities compared to the construction industry. ‘The University provided me with a strong foundation, which I built upon through valuable practical experience at Ellatzite-Med, one of Bulgaria’s leading mining companies. This allowed me to advance in my career and reach my current position,’ said M.Eng. Lyubomir Svilenov, who became Deputy Director of the mine at just 35, with 10 years’ industry experience.
The event was also attended by the futurologist Assoc. Prof. Dr Mariana Todorova. ‘The mining industry now plays a crucial role in the global geopolitical and geostrategic landscape. Rare earth minerals are essential to building the future, driving advancements in robotics, IoT, and virtual and mixed reality,’ said Assoc. Prof. Dr Todorova. According to her, the mining industry will become increasingly important as metals and other critical raw materials gain key significance in global modernization.
The participants at the event agreed that while the introduction of new technologies will make jobs easier, people will remain the key driving force in project and industry development.
Among the official guests attending the event were also the Executive Director of Geotechmin OOD Mr Dominic Hamers and the Executive Director of Geotrading AD Mrs Rumyana Ivanova-Nikolova, both representing GEOTECHMIN GROUP.
At the end of the forum, the UMG students had the opportunity to learn more about the internship positions at the companies from the HR specialists.
