The development of two open-pit areas is scheduled within the first phase of Udokan Project development. Earlier on, the project engineering design saw a change in terms of shifting the deposit capital development dates from 2021 to 2020.
The basic engineering changes were approved following the meeting of the Central Committee for Solid Minerals Development under the Federal Agency of Mineral Resources.“Capital development include “stripping” of Udokan deposit in order to provide access to minable minerals from the surface” – noted Mr. V. Kazikaev, Chair of the Board of BMC, – “We are starting the actual mining – an event that has been anticipated by the industry for 70 years staring from the very discovery”.
Even before Zapadniy open-pit is put into operation, the early works in it shall include the mining of over 1.1 million tons of ore.
The capital development of Zapadniy will be delivered in close compliance with the mining plan, survey guidelines, and instructions from the Company’s geological office. As per the schedule, the scope of works in 2020 will amount to 335 thous. tones of associated ore and 808 thous. m3 of solid rock.
The ore is planned to be mined with heavy-duty shovels.
The capital development will be followed by preparation of pads, motor roads, stripping dumps, that would allow for application of the main open-pit mining equipment to ensure the designed output of ore.
