Nikolay has a Masters degree in Technology of Mining from the University of Mining and Geology in Sofia and in 1991 graduated with awards for his PhD thesis in the technology of blasting. With 30 years experience in the mining industry, the last 10 years he has been working at Chelopech Mine, commencing as a Mine Planning and Blasting Engineer. Prior to this, he has worked for Minproekt Mining Institute and Niproruda.

He is an author and co-author of over 20 mining publications, mostly related to blasting technologies. He is also the author of two inventions.