UNDERGROUND

Aikhal mine life to be extended by 10 years

Alrosa has decided to further develop its Aikhal underground mine by another 300m in depth

This article is 5 years old. Images might not display.

The Aikhal underground mine is located in the Sakha (Yakutia) Republic in eastern Siberia, Russia.
 
Alrosa's top management approved the project to strip and mine the Aikhal mine's pipe reserves the levels -100m and -400m levels. Total investment will be approximately RUB 10 billion (US$156.7 million).
 
Implementation of the project will allow Alrosa's raw material base to be replenished by almost 20 million carats and maintain the annual production level of 500,000t of ore up to 2044. Originally, commercial resources amounted to 6.2Mt of ore with the date of completion of the mine operation in 2034-2035.
 
Evgeny Denisov, director of Alrosa's Aikhal Mining and Processing Division, noted: "The project is also attractive due to no need for major re-equipment and no need to build new infrastructure, and so on. Development of deep levels and, accordingly, extension of the mine life will allow keeping more than 500 jobs, which is crucial for our company."
 
The -100m main haulage level will be built and put into operation, and the construction of mine openings for underlying beds will start in 2020. The start of the extraction at the new -100m and -400m levels is planned no later than 2027.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Magazine Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Magazine Intelligence team.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence: Automation and Digitalisation Report 2024

Exclusive research for Mining Magazine Intelligence Automation and Digitalisation Report 2024 shows mining companies are embracing cutting-edge tech

editions

ESG Mining Company Index: Benchmarking the Future of Sustainable Mining

The ESG Mining Company Index report provides an in-depth evaluation of ESG performance of 61 of the world's largest mining companies. Using a robust framework, it assesses each company across 9 meticulously weighted indicators within 6 essential pillars.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Exploration Report 2024 (feat. Opaxe data)

A comprehensive review of exploration trends and technologies, highlighting the best intercepts and discoveries and the latest initial resource estimates.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Future Fleets Report 2024

The report paints a picture of the equipment landscape and includes detailed profiles of mines that are employing these fleets