THE BUKHOVO URANIUM MINES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83-00418R007600400001-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 15, 2008
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: November 30, 1956
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2008/01/15: CIA-RDP83-00418R007600400001-2
Approved For Release 2008/01/15: CIA-RDP83-00418R007600400001-2
 Approved For Release 2008/01/15: CIA-RDP83-00418R007600400001-2
Oy
p 300798.3
OKFORA&UOOO a 03Mp?O Qu O( BOO G?QG~Ga r ? EP(OO G3u
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
This material contains information affecting the National Defense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage Laws; Title
18, U.S.C. Secs. 793 and 794, the transmission or revelation of which in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited -by law.
COUNTRY Bulgaria
ENCLOSURE ATTACHED
DATE OF
INFO.
PLACE &
DATE ACQ.
NO. PAGES 8
REQUIREMENT
1. The Bukhovo uranium mines are located approximately three kilometers north'
of Bukhovo and 25 kilometers northeast of Sofia,
2. As of February 1956 the following personnel were employed at the Bukhovo
uranium mines:
a. Mining engineers: 7 Soviets and 4 Bulgarians;
b. Geologists: 6 Soviets and 1 Bulgarian geophysicist;
c. Chemical engineers; 9 Soviets and 3 Bulgarians;
d. Apprentice geologists: 14 Bulgarians;
C7
07
w H
e. Specialists in the Mark-Schneider apparatus (a theodolit?):'18 Bug arians;
f. Specialists for measuring the degree of radioactivity: 16 Bulgarians;
g. Mining technicians.. 16 Bulgarians;
h. Skilled miners; 140 Bulgarians;
i. Nonskilled miners. 280 Bulgarians;
J. Workers: 1.280 Bulgarians; and 420 soldiers who work in part as
ordinary laborers and in part as skilled workers;
k. Office employees: 100 Bulgarians; and-
1. Drivers, mechanics, and packers: 140 Bulgarians.
STATE ARMY NAVY _A X
ORR
25X1
Approved For Release 2008/01/15: CIA-RDP83-00418R007600400001-2
 Approved For Release 2008/01/15: CIA-RDP83-00418R007600400001-2
3, Work in the Bukhovo uranium mines is in three shifts of eight hours each,
4. The uranium ore is examined with special apparatus known a$ "Wierko and
;"PER-.-,RS." These apparatus are in continuous operation at every 30.and
50 centimeters in the entire mining area. The 'ketch below shows the
"Wierk? and the 1?PF'A_-RS" apparatus..
5. Radio activity is determined in the following manner by means of an ap-
paratus known as 'Gamma' which is reproduced in. the sketch below. In the
"Gamma's apparatus, which is made of copper and iron, there is installed a
microscope and a small quantity of calcium chloride.
Microscope
Wires
r
Calcium chloride
6. The ore is examined to determine its uranium content and then is divided
into first, second and third grade ore. On the basis of this grading it
is carried through wooden conduits and loaded onto trucke?and transported
to the point shown as number 109 on. the sketch(`(attachet to thiv.
report), -.vhere.a check is made. Lt this point the quality of the ore is
checked.a second time, after which it is carried to the mills (number 15
in sketch), where a final check is made. In the mills the ore is worked
according to its grade, The ore is then mixed with sulphuric acid and
placed into large containers where the mixture remains for 14 days, after
which it undergoes steam pressure and is then sifted. What remains,
following this operation, is placed in special metal containers which
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2008/01/15: CIA-RDP83-00418R007600400001-2
 Approved For Release 2008/01/15: CIA-RDP83-00418R007600400001-2
are hermetically sealed. The containers which hold first-grade uranium
are loaded on aircraft at the Bozhurishte Airfield and transported im-
mediately to the USSR. The containers holding second- and third-grade
uranium are transported by heavily escorted trains to Varna where they
are loaded on special ships and sent to the USSR.
7. Guarding the entrance to each mine is a militiaman who is relieved every
four hours. At points number 14 and number 16 on the attached sketch there
are six militiamen on guard. The entire area is guarded at every 300 meters
by an armed militiaman, carrying a German 7.62 caliber automatic rifle.
8. Every engineer, laborer, driver, miner, office employee, eta., has a
special permit with which he can move around only in the area in which
he actually works.
9. Informant knew of the following specialists working at the Bukhovo uranium
mines:
a. Chief Engineer, the Soviet Bobrov, fnu; lives in Sofia and drives a
"Pobeda" Soviet car;
b. Second Engineer, the Soviet Pirshinov, fnu; lives at the "Slavyanska
Hotel" and drives a "Pobeda" car;
c. Third Engineer, the Soviet Aleksandrov, fnu; lives at the "Slavyaneka
hotel." and drives a "Zis" car;
d. Fourth Engineer, the Bulgarian Kumbarev, fnu; lives in Sofia at 6
Shipka Street;
e. Fifth Engineer, the.Bulgarian Topolov, fnu; lives in Sofia;
f. Chemical Engineer, the Soviet Sashkin, fnu; lives in Sofia at 22 Lenin
Street and drives a."Zis" car;
g. Second Chemical Engineer, the Soviet Orlov, fnu; lives in Sofia at
37 Bonyarska Street and drives a "Zia" car;
h. Third Chemical Engineer, the Bulgarian Ivan Krivov Krushev; lives at
28 Voroshlova Street in Sofia;
I. The geologist, Mitofanov~ fnu, aSoviet; lives at 11 Moskovska Street
in Sofia; and
~. The geophysicist, Petrishiyan, a Soviet; lives at 17 Moskovska Street
in Sofia.
10. The uranium mines of Bukhovo are equipped with the following transportation
facilities:
a. Twenty-two "Zis" trucks;
b. Eighteen "Skoda-" trucks;
c. Eight "Diesels trucks;
d. Three "Pobeda'!' busses;
e. Twenty-one'"Zis" busses;
25X1
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2008/01/15: CIA-RDP83-00418R007600400001-2
 Approved For Release 2008/01/15: CIA-RDP83-00418R007600400001-2
f. Four "Skoda" busses;
g. Three German busses;
h. Three "coda" trucks for transporting personnel;
i. Two mobile pumps of German manufacture; and
J. Three "Skoda" ambulances.
11. The following legend refers to a sketch attached to this report:
1) The Sofia--Bukhovo- Iakotsevo railway line;
2) Village and station of Yana; Yana is the station from which uranium
is shipped to the USSR;
3) Station of Yana; a small station composed of a two-story ; building,
15 x 8 meters in size; the Yana Station includes two through railway
tracks and two'siding tracks;
4) Depot for mineral working implements, 30 x 10 meters in size and two
stories high;
5) Militia building where persons going in the direction of the mine
are checked;
6) Depot for uranium from which the material is shipped by rail to Varna
and then by sea to Odessa;
7) Yana-Gorni Bogrov road;
8) Gate at which the militiamen check passes and identification cards
of all persons passing through; these documents are needed by all
persons entering th(s village of Bukhovo;
9) Village of Bukhovo, center of the mining area, located approximately
3.5 kilometers north of Yana;
10) Bukhovo Butunets road;
11) Bukhovo-Sveti Angel Convent road;
12) General. Directorate of the Bukhovo mines, a two-story building 25 x 10;
meters in size;
13) Baths for the personnel of the Bukhovo mines;
14 and i5) Plant for processing the uranium;
16) Wooden conduit for transporting third-grade uranium to the mills;
'17) Wooden conduit for transporting second-grade uranium to the mills;
18) Wooden conduit for transporting first-grade uranium to the mills;
19) Machine shop and garage; the. machine shop is 20 x 10 meters in size
and two stories high; the garage is 70:x 8 meters in size and two
stories high;
Approved For Release 2008/01/15: CIA-RDP83-00418R007600400001-2
 Approved For Release 2008/01/15: CIA-RDP83-00418R007600400001-2
20) Food warehouse composed of two buildings, two stories high, each 35 x 8
meters in.size;
21). Gasoline depot for the use of trucks; has a capacity of ;approximately
10,000 liters; '
22) Sleeping quarters for miners with families; a three-story building
40 x 10 meters in size;
23) Sleeping quarters for drivers and mechanics; a two-story building,
40 x 10 meters in size;
24) Sleeping quarters for miners; a three-story building, 2Q x 10 meters
in size;
25) Movie theater, library and auditorium; a two -story building, 30 x 10
meters in size;
26), Living quarters for employees; a three-story building f9r office
employees, a three-story building 30 x 10 meters in size;
27)~ Militia of Bukhovo;
28) Road leading from Bukhovo to the mines, located approximately three
kilometers away;
29)' Local road running up and down hill between the uranium mines;
30) Sleeping quarters for miners; three-story building, 25 x 10 meters
in size;
31) Uranium mine which has existed since 1949 and produces the least
amount of uranium;
32) Wooden conduit for the transportation of third-grade uranium;
33) Wooden conduit for the transportation of first-grade uranium;
34) Wooden conduit for the transportation of second-grade uranium;
35) Small railway line which runs between the mine and the wooden conduits;
36) Parking area for trucks used for transporting:. ore;,
37) The "Borshe" uranium. mine;. this mine has;been,.in,.operation since 1948;
it has various tunnels within it; uranium in this mine i's a green
crystal-like uranium; the.ore (rocks and e,arth).is r.ed and green; this
mine produces second- and third-grade uranium at'the rate of 54 tons
of'uranium ore every 24 hours;
38) Small railway line which runs between mBorshe" mine and the wooden
conduits;
39) Conduits for the transportation of third-grade uranium;
40) Conduits for the transportation of second-grade uranium;
41) Conduits for the transportation of first-grade uranium;
42) Unknown;
Approved For Release 2008/01/15: CIA-RDP83-00418R007600400001-2
25X1
 Approved For Release 2008/01/15: CIA-RDP83-00418R007600400001-2
43) Uranium mine, in operation since 1950; produces a green, crystal-like
uranium; the uranium ore (rock and earth), is green and red; this mine
produces uranium of second and third grade at the rate .6f approximately
62 tons of ore every 24 hours;
44)' Small railway line leading from the mine to the transportation conduits;
45) -Conduits for transportation of first-grade ore;
46) Conduits for the transportation of third-grade ore;
47) Conduits for the transportation of second-grade ore;
48) Parking area for trucks used for transporting ore;
49) Uranium mine, in operation since 1950, which produces a green, crystal-
like uranium; the ore (rock-and earth) is green and reddish; the mine
produces approximately 66 tons of ore in each 24 hour period;
50) Small lines which lead from.the mine to transportation conduits;
51) Conduits for transporting third-grade ore;
52) Conduits for transporting second-grade ore;
53) Conduits for transporting first-grade ore;
54) Parking area for trucks used for transporting ore;
55) Uranium mine, in operation since 1954, which produces a green, crystal-
like uranium; the ore (rock and earth) is green and reddish; the mine
produces approximately 54 tons of ore in each 24-hour period; this mine
has two tunnels; the rock ore is of first-grade;
56) Small railway line leading from the mine to the transportat:ion.conduits;
57) Conduits for transporting first-grade ore;
58) Conduits for transporting second-grade ore;
59) Conduits for transporting third-grade ore;
60) Parking area for trucks used for transporting ore;
61) Uranium mine, in operation since 1949; produces ore of volcanic origin;
the mine has two tunnels;. from this mine, also, first-grade ore is
extracted; the rock ore is black in color;-
62) Small railway line leading from the mine to the transportation conduits;
63) Transportation conduits for first-grade ore;
64) Transportation conduits for second-grade ore;
65) Transportation conduits for third-grade ore;
66) Parking area for trucks used for transporting ore;
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2008/01/15: CIA-RDP83-00418R007600400001-2
 Approved For Release 2008/01/15: CIA-RDP83-00418R007600400001-2
-7-
67Y Uranium mine, in operation since 1954, with one tunnel; uranium ore
from this mine is of volcanic origin and black in color; from this
mine first-grade rock ore is extracted;
68) Small lines leading from the mine to transporting conduits;
69) Wooden conduits for transporting third-grade ore;
70) Wooden conduits for transporting second-grade ore;
71) Wooden conduits for transporting first-grade ore;
72) Parking area for trucks used for transporting ore;
73) Sleeping quarters for soldiers working in the mines, a three-story
building 45 x 10 meters in size; in this building is also located.
the command of the military. units working in the mine area;
74) Sleeping quarters for soldiers working in the mines; a three-story
building 30 x 10 meters in size;
75) A uranium mine, in operation since 1950, with a single tunnel; the
rock ore of this mine is not of volcanic origin, but of "uraitshka"
origin; the uranium is green and crystal-like; the ore found in rock
is green and that in earth is reddish; this mine produces approximately
80 tons of ore in a 24 hour period; rock ore of first grade is also
extracted from this mine;
76) Small railway line leading to the transportation conduits;
77) Transportation conduits for first-grade ore;
78) Transportation conduits for second-grade ore;
79) Transportation conduits for third-grade ore;
80) Parking area for trucks used for transporting the ore;
81) Sleeping quarters and officers of the militia of the mine; a three-
story 40 x 10 meters in size building;
82) Sleeping quarters for miners; a two-story building approximately
35 x 10 meters in size;
83) Kitche'n,'bakery and mess hallo a two-story building 35,x 10 meters
in size;
84) Sleeping , quarters for'miners; a three-story building 25 x 10 meters
in size;
85) Supply-room, sleeping quarters, infirmary and workshop; a three
story'building 40 x 10 meters'in size;
86) Sleeping quarters for miners; a two-story building 20 x 10 meters
in size;
87) Uranium mine, in operation since 1954; the ore at this mine is of
volcanic origin and black in color; this mine produces, approximately
70 tons of ore in a.21+ hour period.
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2008/01/15: CIA-RDP83-00418R007600400001-2
 Approved For Release 2008/01/15: CIA-RDP83-00418R007600400001-2
O P
88) Small railway lines leading,:-from the mine to the transportation-
con-duits,'
89) Conduits for transporting first-grade ore';
90) Conduits for transporting -second-grade' ore;
91) Conduits for transporting third-grade ore;
92) Parking area for trucks ugod~for'transporting ore;
93) Open pit mine; the uraniupt=ore'at this mine is green and crystal--
like; this mine produces 86 tons of ore in each 24-hour period;
94) Small railway lines leading'fro#i the.'mine to the transportation
conduits;
95) Transportation conduits for first-grade ore;
96) Transportation conduits for second-grade ore;
97) Transportation conduits for third-grade ore;
98) Parking area for trucks used in transporting ore;.
99) Open pit mine; the.ore is green and crystal-like; this I mine produces
85 to{ia of ore in each 24--hour period; the mine also. produces first-
grade ore;
100) Small railway lines leading from the mines to the transportation
conduits;
101) Transportation conduits for first-grade ore;
102) Transportation conduits for second-grade ore;
103) Transportation conduits for t4ird-grade ore;
104) Parking area for trucks-used in transporting
105) Sveta Mariya Monastery;
106) Road leading from the mines to Seslavtsi;
107) Small river; dry in summer;
108) Small river; and
109) Control post for loading trucks,
S--M--C,RPM-T
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2008/01/15: CIA-RDP83-00418R007600400001-2
 5
59 (,0
.rye ~
Y
Approved For Release 2008/01/15: CIA-RDP83-00418R007600400001-2
109W,,
R
Approved For Release 2008/01/15: CIA-RDP83-00418R007600400001-2