ZiJin and Mercuria representatives visited Ellatzite-Med for an exchange of experience
Representatives of Serbia Zijin Copper DOO, a part of ZiJin Mining Group, and Mercuria Energy Trading SA visited Ellatzite-Med AD for an exchange of experience. During the meeting were discussed the investments made in the last years in the sphere of extending the mine’s life cycle with focus on the environmental protection and the energy transition. Eng. Ivan Vutov, PhD, Vice President of Geotechmin OOD and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Geotrading AD, and Eng. Dragomir Draganov, Executive Director of Ellatzite-Med AD, as well as the Management of the Mine Complex – Eng. Ivaylo Nikolov PhD, – Head of capital projects, Eng. Vasil Shishkov – Head of Mine Complex, Eng. Tzvetan Dilov – Geotechnical Services, Eng. Mladen Nedkov – Deputy Director, Information and Communication Technologies, Mr. Georgi Vasilev – Health&Safety Dpt., and Mr. Stanislav Delchev, Deputy Finance Director of Geotechmin OOD, participated in the talks from Bulgarian side.
Serbia Zijin Copper DOO was represented by the General Manager Mr. Qiu Guozhu and Mr. You Fuqiang, Deputy Marketing Manager. In 2018 ZiJin entered the Serbian market, acquiring 63% от RTB Bor, marking the beginning of Serbia Zijin Copper DOO. Due to the decades of the investor’s experience in international projects in the sphere of mining and metallurgy, today the Serbian subsidiary of ZiJin is one of the biggest company in the country, being also the driving power behind the economic development of Bor and Majdanpek. The company is the main producer of copper and precious metals (gold and silver) in Serbia, managing four mines “Veliki Krivelj”, “Novo Cerovo”, “Jama” and Copper Mine Majdanpek.
On a global scale Zijin Mining Group business activity is related to exploration and mining of metals, such as copper, gold, zinc, lithium, silver and molybdenum. The Group prides itself for contributing to the global economic growth and sustainable development, operating in more than 15 countries with income of USD 41.3 billion during 2023, employing more than 48 thousand people.
Mercuria Energy Trading SA delegation was led by Mr. Kostas Bintas, Glodal Head of Metals and Minerals. Established in 2004, Mercuria now is one of the leading in the world independent energy groups. Through uniting the energy markets, and with focus in the trade, structuring of finances and investing in strategic assets, the turnover of the Group companies exceeds USD 170 billion.
Managing more than 100 investment projects on a global scale, Mercuria is engaged in the transmission to more sustainable, accessible and reliable energy system, aimed at using more than half of its investment capital for helping the energy transmission. Mercuria operates at the markets in Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East, North and South America. An important part of the Group’s portfolio is dedicated to following the strategy of investing own capital in strategic assets and in some of the most progressive and innovative companies worldwide.
During the visit the Bulgarian team demonstrated the introduced innovative technologies in the Mine Complex’s management, being the grounds for extending the mine’s life cycle until 2041. In the Dispatch Center, a part of the Mine Complex, the guests were acquainted with the new American system for management of the mine’s production, thanks to which the productivity is improved with 18.9 %. Thanks to the new technologies the number of the dump trucks is optimized and the downtimes at loading and unloading points are reduced. This, on its side, reduces the hazardous emissions, following GEOTECHMIN GROUP policy for environmental protection.
Ellatzite-Med team familiarized the guests with the investments made in the Waste Water Treatment Plant, receiving high appraise from the Chinese delegation. The gained experience with the utilized technological solutions will help at the construction of a third Waste Water Treatment Plant at the territory of the mine, which is expected to be commissioned next year.
With demonstrated interest in expanding the exchange of experience a promising beginning was set for a long-term future partnership between ZiJin, Mercuria and GEOTECHMIN GROUP.
