Prof. Dsc. Eng. Tzolo Voutov and Ellatzite-Med with prestigious awards on Miner’s Day
On Miner’s Day – 18 August 2019, Prof. DSc. Eng. Tzolo Voutov, President of Geotechmin OOD and Honorary Chairman of the Scientific and Technical Union of Mining, Geology and Metallurgy, was awarded by the Bulgarian Chamber of Mining and Geology (BCMG). The award was bestowed for his contribution to the mining industry and the implementation of an innovative technology at Benkovski-2 Tailings Pond in 2018.
The Minister of Energy Mrs. Temenuzhka Petkova and the Chairman of the Management Board of BCMG Prof. DSc. Eng. Nikolay Valkanov presented the awards at a grand ceremony marking the National Miner’s Day held on 18 August in Sofia.
‘This is a way to honour the selfless labour and tremendous achievements of those working in the mining sector,’ said Prof. DSc. Eng. Nikolay Valkanov while announcing the traditional Miner’s Day awards of BCMG.
Prof. DSc. Eng. Tzolo Voutov took part in the construction of Ellatzite Copper Mining and Processing Plant in the period 1976-1982, for which he was awarded National Order of Labor – Gold. His professional career is closely related to Ellatzite mine where he started work as a land surveyor, and subsequently held the positions of a chief land surveyor, a chief engineer and later in 1981-1982 he was a Deputy Director of Production and Technical Department at Ellatzite Copper Mine. In the course of 8 years, he also worked on a number of key mining projects as a research fellow at Niproruda Institute of Mining and Ore Dressing in Sofia. Since 1999, Prof. Voutov has been a leader of high-performance teams and a key driver for extending the life of Ellatzite mine. Furthermore, he has played a major role in the comprehensive, efficient and sustainable management of Ellatzite Mine Complex. By virtue of his versatile economic, scientific and social activities, exceptional contribution and merits to Bulgaria’s economic development and establishment of contemporary industrial relations, Prof. DSc. Eng. Tzolo Voutov received the Order Stara Planina, First Degree and many other prestigious awards in 2019.
Ellatzite-Med AD received an award for outstanding achievement in innovation for implementing MudMaster residue solution. This is a leading-edge technology for in-situ dewatering and consolidation of tailings in swampy and hard-to-reach areas. It was adopted in Benkovski-2 Tailings Pond. The approach uses a specialized MudMaster machine which carries out intensive in-situ processing and compaction of tailings for a shorter time – about a month, thus reducing fuel consumption and significantly increasing the strength of deposited tailings. By doing so, the dam stability is increased and additional space for inwash is provided. This innovative technology is part of the measures which are constantly being undertaken by the company to minimise the environmental impact of production processes.
