Potential of phytomining in Bulgaria

Abstract

Phytomining has been gaining more and more popularity in recent years. Scientific information is being accumulated and technologies are being developed that could make phytomining an applicable technology for the extraction of rare and noble metals.In Bulgaria, the mining industry is well developed. Copper, lead, zinc, gold and polymetallic ores are mainly mined. The waste generated during the mining process of these ores has a great potential for phytomining. There are many existing, abandoned and closed dumps, tailings ponds and landfills that have the potential to be used for phytomining.This paper analyzes the possibility of using phytomining technology for the extraction of noble and rare metals in Bulgaria. An overview of the level of development of phytomining technologies and the available resources in Bulgaria for which it is applicable has been made.