URANIUM MINE NEAR BUKHOVO

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00046R000200160016-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 14, 2009
• Sequence Number: 16
• Publication Date: October 14, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2009/08/14: CIA-RDP82-00046R000200160016-5
COUNTRY Bulgaria
SECRET
SECURITY IN:I:ORMATION
SUBJECT Uranium Mine neapBuklovo
PLACE
ACQUIRED
DATE
ACQUIRED
DATE OF IF
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
DATE DISTR. /!t
NO. OF PAGES
NO. OF ENCLS.
(LISTED BELOW)
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
25X1
1. In 1949 or 1950, the Bulgarian Government conducted a geological
surbe of the grounds of-the Convent of the Holy Angel (Svyatiyr.
Anger, located in a mountainous region about a half hour's walk
from Bukhovo LIff 42-46, E 23-3..,37. This survey disclosed that the
convent contained a rich deposit of good grade uranium
ore .
25X1
as a resu o s n ng, e n a n s o u o o,
those-of the convent, were told to move to other locations.' Although
the site of the uranium deposit was on the convent grounds, the
entire area, including Bukhovo, was restricted.
2.
he mine was being opera a an exp o e
exclusively by the militaryl.
That .
that exploitation of tie mine was being conducte by the Bulgarian
Army provided for the maintenance. of better security measures than
if civilian personnel were employed. Secondly, it provided for the
best type of labor and operating conditions,, insofar,as the govern
ment was concerned, since the labor force was composed of Bulgarian,
soldiers who received no pay.
Working conditions were bad from the soldiers' point of view. They
worked long hours, at least ten hours.a day, seven days a week, and
USAF review completed.
-.SECRET'--
SECURITY INFORMATION
Approved For Release 2009/08/14: CIA-RDP82-00046R000200160016-5
 Approved For Release 2009/08/14: CIA-RDP82-00046R000200160016-5
Approved For Release 2009/08/14: CIA-RDP82-00046R000200160016-5
 Approved For Release 2009/08/14: CIA-RDP82-00046R000200160016-5
SECRET
many of them contracted tuberculosis, a. fact which necessitated
frequent rotation of personnel. Men rarely remained at the mine
more than a year.
it is most likely that the soldiers
were billeted in newly-constrructed barracks at the site of the
mine in Bukhovo or-possibly close by.
There had been no rail lines between t e town o
Bukhovo and the convent prior-to d' of e and
because of the mountainous terrain
e ore was ranspor e
by truck fr?m the mine to the railhead in Bukhovo and that it
was . destined for the USSR.
location of uranium min?
SECRET
25X1
Approved For Release 2009/08/14: CIA-RDP82-00046R000200160016-5
 Approved For Release 2009/08/14: CIA-RDP82-00046R000200160016-5
Approved For Release 2009/08/14: CIA-RDP82-00046R000200160016-5
 Approved For Release 2009/08/14: CIA-RDP82-00046R000200160016-5
SECRET
-3-
Location of Uranium Mine a of,anold German map of.Sofia
25X1
23 0 30'E
tn
C
_
b
3 ~~ob
m3 as
y
SECRET
Approved For Release 2009/08/14: CIA-RDP82-00046R000200160016-5
 Approved For Release 2009/08/14: CIA-RDP82-00046R000200160016-5
Approved For Release 2009/08/14: CIA-RDP82-00046R000200160016-5