Canadian mining company DPM Metals is closing its Ada Tepe gold mine in Bulgaria for rehabilitation on 15 July, following a final production blast at the site in mid-April. The mine produced 23,000 ounces of gold in the first half of 2026 before ceasing operations. DPM said that after rehabilitation, 95% of Ada Tepe’s land use will be returned to the Natura 2000 EU nature protection network.
The closure marks the end of Ada Tepe’s operating life, while DPM’s other Bulgarian asset, the Chelopech gold-copper mine, continues to perform in line with expectations. Chelopech delivered 75,000 ounces of gold and 15 million pounds of copper in the six months through June, including 43,000 ounces of gold and 8 million pounds of copper in the second quarter alone. The mine is on track to achieve its full-year production guidance and had its operating life extended by ten years to 2036 in February based on updated mineral reserve estimates.
Chelopech is also the focus of significant exploration activity. In June, DPM announced the discovery of high-grade gold-copper porphyry mineralisation at the Brevene South Porphyry target adjacent to the mine, with a standout drill hole returning 713 metres grading 1.31 grams per tonne gold and 1.16% copper — results that analysts described as distinguishing the BSP as a potentially very high-grade porphyry system. In May, the company also identified new high-grade intercepts at the Wedge Zone Deep target within the Chelopech mine licence area.
