UMMC optimizes the project for the development of the Novo-Uchalinskoye field
The specialists of UMMC are working on the optimization of the project for the development of the Novo-Uchalinsky copper-pyrite ore deposit, the subsoil user of which is the Uchalinsky GOK JSC (Bashkortostan, Uchaly). The work is carried out under the guidance of the Transformation Director Service of UMMC OJSC with the direct participation of specialists from Uchalinsky GOK, Uralmekhanobr, Mine Construction Management LLC and consulting companies.
So, during 2020 the economic model of the project was revised and updated. Proposals have been prepared to improve the efficiency of the project with the shortest time possible for the mine to reach a capacity of 1.6 million and 4.5 million tons of ore per year.
Note that the annual capacity of 1.6 million tons of ore is intermediate indicator. After the Novo-Uchalinsky mine reaches production capacity, the level of ore extraction will be 4.5 million tons per year.
In the course of developing measures to optimize the project, the working group proposed to accelerate the construction of industrial facilities and the mine's reaching design capacity, which will have a positive effect on the economic component of the project. The proposed organizational and technical solutions, such as the use of the technology of thrusting a mine head building with a headframe, an increase in the rate of sinking of capital mine workings to 90-150 m /month, a decrease in the period for gaining the standard strength of the backfill, and others, will shorten the period of putting the object into operation with a set maximum productivity of the Novo-Uchalinsky mine.
Within the framework of the new construction schedule, the start dates for the construction of the main capital facilities of the mine have been revised. The construction of some of the facilities is scheduled for 2021.
One of the solutions to increase the efficiency of the Novo-Uchalinskoye field reserves development process is the use of the technology of a chamber development system with backfilling of the worked-out space with hardening mixtures with accelerated development of standard strength. This can be done by increasing the mass fraction of cement in the filling material. This proposal requires the development of new compositions of hardening mixtures and the conduct of semi-industrial tests at the mine.
To date, a schedule for the implementation of key optimization solutions for the development of the Novo-Uchalinskoye deposit has been developed and submitted for approval.