The authors of this book have set themselves the modest task of reconstructing the glorious and moving history of the MARBAS mines and the miners who worked in them. The book does not claim to be comprehensive, because the nearly 120-year history of the West Maritsa Coal Basin is saturated with all kinds of episodes and events. A lot of archival material on the activities of MARBAS has been preserved, but it is not possible to cover it all in one book. The first two chapters provide general information about the mines in the Maritsa Basin and the characteristics of their technological scheme. The next chapter describes the production and technological results of mining activities. The fourth chapter traces the development of the Maritsa and Vulcan mines and the specifics of their operation in the village (neighborhood) of Mariyno-Dimitrovgrad. A brief description is given of the life of the miners and their families during different periods of time. The emergence of new mines after World War II, their development, and decline are described separately. The peculiarities of the management of the MARBAS mines and the various auxiliary divisions and units are noted.