Processing projects

Bystrinsky GOK (Chita Project)
Bystrinsky GOK
Launched in 2019, GRK Bystrinskoye (Bystrinsky GOK) is Nornickel’s new copper, gold and iron concentrate project. It is the largest greenfield project in the Russian mining industry, covering ore mining, concentration and shipment of end products to customers. Nornickel owns 50.01% in Bystrinsky GOK, with CIS Natural Resources Fund holding 39.32%, and the remaining 10.67% belonging to Highland Fund. In 2005–2020, the project’s CAPEX will total RUB 92.5 bn (USD 1.8 bn).

Location

16 km east of Gazimursky Zavod, Gazimuro-Zavodsky District, Zabaykalsky Region

Project overview

The Bystrinsky GOK construction project is made up of an open-pit mine at the Bystrinskoye deposit; a mining and processing plant (MPP) with all associated infrastructure, including a power line and the 227 km Borzya–Gazimursky Zavod railway line; as well as a rotation camp. Construction of the open-pit mine and the MPP started in 2013. In 2017, a 220 kV power line was commissioned and a camp for 1,047 people was built. Hot commissioning of the MPP started in October 2017. The MPP came online in December 2019. The project is expected to ramp up to design capacity by 2021.

Ore reservesAccording to the Russian classification (А+В+С1+С2)
316 mln t
Average metal content
Cu – 0.7%
Fe3O4 – ​23%
Au – ​0.9 g/t
In 2020–2022, the project’s CAPEX will total
RUB$ 16.7 bln
(USD 252.0 mln).
The project’s design capacity
10 Mtpa
New jobs
~~2,000
positions

Project timeline

'19
  • CAPEX – RUB 6.7 bn (USD 103 mln)
  • Mining of 7.5 mln t of ore and production of 43.5 kt of copper concentrate, 177 koz of gold concentrate, and 1.3 mln t of iron ore concentrate. EBITDA – USD 349 mln
'20
  • The MPP is expected to reach design capacity with the following annual concentrate volumes: Cu – 55–65 kt; Au – 220–240 koz; Fe3О4 (Fe – 66%) – 1.5–1.7 mln t
Talnakh Concentrator
Talnakh Concentrator
The upgrade has been rolled out in three stages. Stage 1 was completed in 2015, and included the reconstruction of existing floatation capacity and the replacement of flotationFlotation — a concentration process where specific mineral particles suspended within the pulp attach to air bubbles. Poorly wettable mineral particles attach to the air bubbles and rise through the suspension to the top of the pulp, producing foam, while well wettable mineral particles do not attach to the bubbles and remain in the pulp. This is how the minerals are separated. cells that were beyond their useful lives, in order to maintain the concentration capacity at 7.5 Mtpa. Stage 2 involved the expansion of the main building, the reconstruction of the reagent preparation building, and the construction of additional ball mills and vertical mills, as well as the 1st Stage of the tailing dump, all of which helped to boost capacity to 10 Mtpa. This stage was completed in 2018. Plans for the 3rd Stage of the Talnakh Concentrator Upgrade include a capacity ramp-up to 18 Mtpa and construction of the tailing dump’s 2nd Stage. The new concentration technology will increase recovery by 4%–7% for all key metals. The project’s completion is slated for 2023, reaching design capacity by 2024+. CAPEX for the 3rd Stage of Talnakh Concentrator in 2020–2024 is estimated at RUB 40 bn (about USD 0.6 bn).

Location

Norilsk Industrial District, Krasnoyarsk Region

Project overview

The Talnakh Concentrator (Polar Division) processes rich, cuprous, and disseminated ores from the Oktyabrskoye and Talnakhskoye deposits to produce nickel-pyrrhotite and copper concentrates. In 2019, the plant processed 10.7 mln t of ore, with nickel recovery in bulk concentrate reaching 85.9% (+2.7% y-o-y).

The new concentration technology will increase recovery by 4%-7% for all key metals.

3rd Stage project timeline

'19
  • CAPEX – RUB 424 mln (USD 7 mln)
  • Inspection of the construction site and completion of preparatory work
  • Development of design documentation completed
  • Approval from the Main Department of State Expertise received and construction permit secured
  • Completion of preparatory work in the main building of Talnakh Concentrator
'20-'22
  • Development of engineering documents
  • Construction and installation works
  • Equipment delivery
  • Pre-commissioning
'23-'24
  • Commissioning
  • Ramping up to design capacity
Nickel tankhouse upgrade
Tankhouse upgrade
Tankhouse 2 is part of Kola MMC, which produces nickel cathodes using electrowinningElectrowinning — electrodeposition of metal from ores that have been put in solution. Ore or concentrate is leached with agents that dissolve metal-containing minerals or the entire material, so that the metal is deposited on the cathode. The electrolyte is typically reused in the process. The end product is high-purity metal cathode. technology.

Location

Monchegorsk, Murmansk Region

Project overview

The tankhouse 2 upgrade will create a highly effective nickel cathode production unit, harnessing the technology of nickel electrowinning from chlorine dissolved tube furnace nickel powder, which will help increase output of nickel cathodes from 120 ktpa to 145 ktpa. The new technology will help achieve the highest purity of metal and reduce air emissions. In 2020–2021, the project’s CAPEX will total RUB 2.9 bn (USD 43.4 mln).

Project timeline

'19
  • CAPEX – RUB 4.8 bn (USD 74.5 mln)
  • Refurbishment of electrowinning cells – the project reaches 98% completion
'20
  • Pre-commissioning and ramping up to design capacity