Interview with Desislava Dimova, Commercial Director of SanRock, for “Mining and Geology” magazine
What has changed in road construction and quarrying over the past 30 years?
What was behind the decision 30 years ago to focus specifically on the mining industry?
I believe this was a natural continuation of our decision to start as a supplier of drilling equipment and gradually expand into other key products for the sector.
Which was the first major project that marked the beginning of long-term trust between you and your customers in the industry?
Every project is significant to us. The challenges at the end of the 1990s were certainly much greater, given the economic situation and the heavy bureaucracy associated with supplies and deliveries. Being a supplier in any industry where machinery and installations are ideally expected to have only scheduled downtime is a huge responsibility.
The industry does not tolerate excuses or compromises. Any mistake or delay on our part could lead to losses and problems further down the chain.
What I can say is that the trust we have built is probably due above all to the expertise of our colleagues, some of whom had many years of experience working in the mining industry themselves. This certainly helps us enormously, both in adapting to the introduction of next-generation products and in understanding the different needs of our customers and planning the corresponding deliveries, which we schedule at least a year in advance.
We are proud of the system we have built to manage this entire process. I believe this is our greatest strength.
Which project would you describe as the most challenging, and why?
Personally, starting our operations in Serbia has been the most challenging and emotionally significant project for me. We all know that, both in life and in business, there are cycles, and the routine stage we had entered changed very quickly and naturally when we started working in Serbia. It turned out that our experience alone was not enough. It is difficult to adapt to the legislation, regulatory framework and mentality of another country. That is why the support of our local colleagues proved essential.
This is also the moment to thank the director of our Serbian company, Saša Petrović, without whose round-the-clock work and support it would have been impossible for us to succeed.
Is there a site or partnership that you are particularly proud of?
There is a high probability that I would unintentionally leave someone out, so I will refrain from listing everyone who has stood by us over the years. I believe, however, that true support becomes most evident in difficult times.
For us, such a moment was the sudden loss of our leader, Eng. Sergey Radivoev. It was then that the first helping hand came from Asarel-Medet. They not only maintained their trust in us and did not terminate their contractual relationship with us, but also continued to support us with valuable advice, professional assistance and genuine human understanding.
Today, we are proud that we managed not only to preserve what had been built, but also to develop it further. I believe this is due not only to our professionalism, but also to the way we approach our work. For us, partnership is more than business – it is mutual trust, empathy and a willingness to stand by one another both in times of success and during periods of difficulty.
Which technological changes in mining equipment do you consider the most significant over the past 30 years?
One of the most clearly defined trends is the continuous improvement of products. Critical areas are being optimised already at the design stage, while the use of new, high-performance alloys significantly improves their operating characteristics.
We see the impact of these innovations in everyday practice – higher productivity, shorter maintenance and repair downtime, and improved safety in the workplace.
An increasing number of the products we offer are equipped with integrated monitoring sensors, allowing faults to be detected at an early stage and enabling preventive maintenance. They provide real-time information about the condition of machinery and installations, making it possible to take timely action, optimise production processes and reduce unplanned downtime.
How has the introduction of sensors and software-based monitoring changed the way you maintain and supply equipment?
One of the many benefits is the ability to perform predictive analysis. By using predefined production data together with self-learning artificial intelligence, it is possible to diagnose equipment in advance. The systems can also track consumption statistics, helping to plan future deliveries, while also providing timely feedback on critical areas that may need to be improved.
What does a “long-term solution” mean for a customer in the mining industry – and how does it differ from a one-off delivery?
We believe that, by default, even a one-off delivery should be a “long-term solution” for our customers. We are fully focused on technological progress that can bring benefits to both sides. Whatever we sell, we first need to be convinced of its potential, because customer satisfaction is our top priority.
What are the biggest challenges facing your suppliers in relation to the Bulgarian mining industry over the next 10 years?
What we are all undoubtedly discussing today are the challenges related to regulatory requirements, the circular economy, workplace safety, and the introduction of platforms for comprehensive digitalisation and automation of process monitoring and analysis.
Mining companies rely on us to provide comprehensive solutions that reduce operating costs and increase machine productivity. This is why their focus will probably increasingly be directed towards the development of intelligent applications or the rationalisation and optimisation of products that can support these objectives.
How is SanRock Ltd. preparing to respond to these challenges?
We are a connecting link between all the parties involved, and we strive to provide feedback regarding market needs and to develop new areas of activity. We will certainly also need qualified specialists who can work more extensively with artificial intelligence, monitor and implement the latest market developments, and have the necessary expertise to provide the relevant service and technical support.
What would you like to wish the industry and your partners for the next 30 years?
In our country, I would say that this is the key industry and, unfortunately, the only one where I see genuine progress and development. I wish the Bulgarian mining industry to continue to be a driving force behind the country's economic development and to remain a good example for other industries in terms of investment in equipment, compliance with safety standards and professionalism.
May everyone stay healthy, have time for their loved ones, and may we continue to build relationships based on trust, integrity and mutual respect.
