Irena Stambolieva has 14 year of experience in the field of chemistry and environmental management, 5 of which at the Chelopech operations. Over that period Irena has been involved in the following major projects:

- Scoping Study for the Chelopech Mine Expansion and the Krumovgrad Gold Project in collaboration with the Balkan Center and Scott Wilson Mining, environmental consultants;

- Pre-Feasibility Studies for Surface Water Consumption for Chelopech Mining EAD and the Municipality of Chelopech;
- Baseline Study for the Krumovgrad Gold Project;
- Environmental Impact Assessment for the Chelopech Mine in collaboration with Montgomery environmental consultants;
- Preparation of the Environmental Monitoring Plan and the 5-year Environmental Action Plan for the Chelopech Mine;
- Implementation of the Environmental Management System Based on ISO 14001 developed by Montgomery Watson Harza for the Chelopech Mine.
Prior to that Irena worked for Kremikovtsi AD, the biggest steel plant in Bulgaria, first as Water Quality Technician and later as Environmental Engineer.

Irena holds a Master's Degree in Semiconductors from the Sofia University of Chemistry and Metallurgy and an European Master's Degree in Environmental Monitoring, Control and Health.