The report "The Financial Mines – Murky banking interests in the Bulgarian coal industry drain public funds, destroy thousands of human lives and heavily contaminate the environment” by Greenpeace details human rights abuses and environmental pollution by coal mining and energy companies in Bulgaria. It claims that the Bulgarian Government and domestic banks support these companies. 

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited the companies and the banks mentioned in the report to respond. First Investment Bank and Investbank have responded. Corporate Commercial Bank did not respond because it no longer exists. The following mines have not yet responded: Chukurovo, Staniantsi, Cherno More – Burgas, Balkan 2000, and Fundamental. The heating systems of Burgas, Pernik, Pleven, Ruse, Veliko Tarnovo, Vratsa, and Sliven have not yet responded. The following thermal power plants have not yet responded: Maritsa 3, TPP Bobov Dol, and Brikel. We did not invite Mina Beli Breg AD, Mina Otkrit Vagledobiv, Vagledobiv Bobov Dol OOD and Toplofikatsia - Gabovo EAD as contact information was not available. 

We also invited Bulgarian government agencies to respond. Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, General Labour Inspectorate, Prosecutor’s Office and Public Financial Inspection Agency have not yet responded. The Ombudsman have responded.

Materials with full information and the responses & non-responses are below.