site.btaDeputy PM Unveils Mine near Madan

Sofia, August 23 (BTA) - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labour and Social Policy Yordan Hristoskov attended the re-opening of the Vurba-Batantsi Mine near Madan, the Labour Ministry said. The mine was closed in 1999 and in 2012 it was made available to a concessionaire. Madan is located in Southern Bulgaria, in the heart of the Rhodope Mountain.

The re-opened mine will offer 150 jobs. The number of workers will increase to 200 people by the year's end and, subsequently, up to 400 people, said Hristoskov.

Over 52 million leva have been invested in GORUBSO-Madan and Vurba-Batantsi since 2012, the Ministry's message says. The average pay is 1,500 leva, social and health insurance contributions are duly paid and all occupational safety requirements are fulfilled.

Hristoskov attended the Day of Madan and the observances of the Miners' Day on Friday. He said that the implementation of all employment measures and programmes will continue. They are particularly important for regions with unemployment above the country's average level, such as Madan (25.8 per cent). "We will also launch new employment programmes focused on youth. Training and re-training course are also a priority," said
Hristoskov.

He promised to offer solutions for the legislation gaps concerning miners' retirement.