Bulgarian authorities investigate illegal sand mining near Lozen

Bulgarian Energy Minister Iva Petrova announced that pre-trial proceedings and a prosecutorial file have been opened regarding illegal sand mining near the village of Lozen, in the Septemvri municipality. The investigation follows a joint inspection conducted on July 22 by the Ministry of Energy and the Pazardzhik Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior along the Chepinska River basin.

During the inspection, authorities discovered a large-scale sand quarry with significant evidence of mining activity. Police officials halted the operation, identifying two excavator operators and a truck driver.

During the process, an individual claiming to be an employee of the Septemvri Municipality presented documents, including a construction permit and a contract with a commercial company, asserting the site was part of a municipal project to build a fish pond. However, subsequent checks revealed that the terrain falls within the boundaries of existing permits for underground resource exploration or active mining concessions.