24.09.2025
“What was signed today is extremely important for the development of the Bulgarian mining industry and for the technology progress of Bulgaria and of the United States.” This was stated by Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the University of North Dakota and the Bulgarian Energy Holding on prospecting for rare-earth elements (REEs). The Prime Minister emphasized that the REEs, apart from guaranteeing technology development, offer advantages in the development of competitiveness and of our potential and security. The Prime Minister noted that Bulgaria and the USA are not just partners in the strategic dialog but also allies who cherish the values and achievements of our civilizational choice.
Rossen Jeliazkov was firm that by developing the science potential of the University of North Dakota it would be possible to unleash the possibilities that the bowels of the Bulgarian land have. “Without the science potential and know-how that you possess it is very difficult to achieve what we expect in the Maritsa Basin and elsewhere, for the good and prosperity of our nations,” Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov noted further.
Minister of Energy Zhecho Stankov pointed out that today Bulgaria is rapidly joining the REEs market which will predetermine both the technological and economic development not only of Europe but also of the world. Zhecho Stankov noted that today’s agreement is the start of an initiative that brings together resources, technology and science. “It is a technology that will give a chance to tens of thousands of people in the Maritsa Basin to see new economic options for themselves,” Minister Zhecho Stankov said further.
“We believe that this initiative with provide a significant economic boost to Bulgaria and we look forward to working in close cooperation in the future, said for his part Scott Snyder, Vice President for Research and Economic Development at the University of North Dakota. It is a great honor and a great pleasure for us to be able to offer real solutions to people’s problems, Scott Snyder said further. He emphasized the importance of the opportunities that the earth provides and the use of these opportunities via the extraction of rare-earth metals.
