Our Projects

Objectives

• Geological support of drilling and mining operations
• Geodetic surveying support
• Conduct a suite of laboratory tests
• Prepare TEO Konditsii report (permanent) with reserve estimation

Tasks

1. Provision of surveying support
2. Geological logging of core and excavations
3. Field lab tests
4. Hydrogeological studies
5. Preparation of databases
6. Preparation of TEO Konditsii report with estimation of reserves for 3 zones

Completed work

1. Georeferencing and scaling zones VT1 and VT2 using 8 temporary reference points in client's local coordinate system
2. Full geological logging of 25,000 m of core from VT1 and VT2 zones
3. Full geological logging of 560 m of trenches at Zone VT2
4. Field laboratory tests on gas content of seams at VT1 and VT2 zones
5. Hydraulic testing and sample collection during hydrogeological investigations at VT1 and VT2 zones
6. Prepared databases for TEO reporting
7. Prepared TEO Konditsii report (permanent) with reserve estimation

Work results

1. Prepared TEO Konditsii report (permanent), with coal reserves calculated for two license blocks.
2. Approved permanent exploration parameters and coal reserves have been approved.

Objectives

• Geological support of drilling operations
• Geodetic surveying support
• Geological and geotechnical core logging
• Downhole geophysics
• Structural logging

Tasks

1. Georeferencing, scaling and installation of temporary reference points in client's local coordinate system for 5 zones
2. Full geological and geotechnical core logging
3. Downhole geophysics
4. Structural logging with development of a litho-structural model

Completed work

1. Georeferenced, scaled and installed 14 temporary reference points in client's local coordinate system for 5 zones
2. Completed full geological and geotechnical core logging
3. Completed full scope of downhole geophysics
4. Completed structural logging

Work results

Developed of a litho-structural model of the deposit

Objectives

• Geological support of drilling, including oriented core logging
• Geodetic surveying support
• Conduct a suite of laboratory tests, including establishment of a mobile sample preparation facility on site
• Complete site environmental studies

Tasks

1. Provision of surveying support
2. Geological core logging
3. Completion of a suite of laboratory tests
4. Environmental studies
5. Geotechnical studies
6. Remote supervision of work, generation of preliminary deposit development solutions

Completed work

1. Georeferenced and scaled the site using temporary reference points in client's local coordinate system
2. Full geological logging of 139,000 m of core
3. Prepared 109,000 geological samples using the mobile sample preparation facility
4. Completed chemical assays for 109,000 geological samples
5. Completed environmental studies in 2022-2023 with a report for the Client
6. Geotechnical logging of 1,900 m of oriented core with rock strength testing
7. Created resource, litho-structural and geomechanical models of the deposit
8. Developed a conceptual mining schedule for the deposit

Work results

1. All data required for TEO Konditsii report (permanent) and deposit reserve estimation have been prepared
2. Preparation of TEO Konditsii report (permanent) with estimation of reserves is underway

Objectives

Complete a full scope of prospecting and evaluation work at Dambukinskaya prospective area

Tasks

Development and execution of exploration programme

Completed work

1. Developed exploration programme
2. Completed drilling
3. Supervised and provided surveying support for drilling and trenching
4. Performed desktop data review and analysis
5. Logged drill core and trenches
6. Completed soil geochemical sampling for secondary dispersion halos
7. Completed reconnaissance traverses
8. Prepared a report with internal estimation of reserves and further exploration recommendations

Work results

Turnkey exploration services from developing exploration programme to preparation of a reserve estimation report based on exploration results.

BGRP drilling company was subcontracted for drilling.

Objectives

• Development of a Life-of-Mine plan using specialist software
• Subsequent training of the mine staff on the applied methodology

Tasks

1. Development of LoM modelling approach
2. Development of the LoM plan based on GKZ-approved reserves to identify any inaccuracies and assess the appropriateness of suggested technical solutions in order to confirm or reject their feasibility
3. Development of a LoM plan based on the resource block model
4. Development of financial and economic models to evaluate mine plan optimisation options and assess the achievability of the mine plan improvement targets
5. Training the client's team in LoM modelling and long-term mine planning principles

Completed work

1. Audited existing mine planning processes
2. Reviewed technical documentation
3. Developed a LoM modelling approach
4. Created a 3D model of the mine
5. Completed environmental studies
6. Prepared an Ore Reserve Estimation Report for internal company purposes (not a public statement) in line with JORC 2012
7. Developed LoM models that maximise the project NPV
8. Assessed the surface facilities requirements and developed optimal technical solutions
9. Trained the Client’s team
10. Developed resource and groundwater flow models

Work results

1. Developed long-term mine plans and LoM models that improve the project NPV and enhance project economics
2. Gradual rollout of the developed modelling approach to all UMMC assets

Objectives

Identification and substantiation of an economic option for extraction of remaining reserves at Grib deposit

Tasks

1. Review of Russian and international experience in extraction of remaining reserves below the open pit
2. Development of possible options for accessing and extracting reserves remaining under the open pit
3. High-level trade-off study of mining options with identification of the optimal ones
4. Detailed evaluation of optimal options for extraction of remaining reserves with preparation of mining and construction schedules that allow to keep feeding the processing plant during the transition period
5. Preparation of a financial-economic models for the proposed options
6. Visualisation of the most effective mining option
7. Presentation of the proposed option at the Client's site

Completed work

1. Reviewed international and Russian experience of similar projects, held technical discussions with foreign companies and prepared a report outlining possible mining options.
2. Designed options for extracting remaining reserves, assessed the technical feasibility of solutions and completed a high-level evaluation of the proposed options.
3. Created high-level mining and construction schedules for technically feasible options considering major capital and operating costs.
4. Assessed mining options in detail. Selected blasting and transportation methods, defined equipment specifications and required fleet. Designed the ventilation circuit. Developed power supply and reticulation diagrams
5. Developed the financial-economic model using the client's template, assessed project sensitivity to changing macroeconomic parameters and conducted a factor analysis. Determined the optimal option for extraction of remaining reserves.
6. Visualised the most effective mining option as a video showing existing buildings, waste dumps, open pit, TSF and roads. Demonstrated mining equipment travel routes and visualised mine construction and operational phases.

Work results

1. Work results successfully presented at the client's site, recommendations provided regarding further site investigations and design workflow.
2. Work results presented to investors with a positive decision on financing and execution of the project.

Objectives

Fulfilment of the license obligations in order to retain the license and continue production

Tasks

1. Prepare TEO Konditsii report (permanent) with reserve estimation
2. Prepare a technical design report

Completed work

1. Digitised all available graphic materials
2. Completed reconciliation of exploration and production data
3. Developed permanent exploration parameters (Konditsii) based on current inputs
4. Proved economic viability of combined mining method

Re-estimation of Kommunarovskoye deposit reserves included:

• processing of 410 km of excavations, 220,000 samples
• 1,657 reserve blocks were estimated
• up to 24 specialists working on the project at the same time
• project was completed in less than one year, including the state expert review process

Work results

1. 1. Gold and silver reserves for combined (OP+UG) mining approved ensuring a mine life of over 20 years with increased plant throughput to 3 Mtpa
2. Complete re-evaluation of the deposit in many years, digitisation of all primary geological information, project upgraded to international standards (JORC reporting, resource models, etc.)
3. Licensing risks reduced – one of key requirements of Rosprirodnadzor regarding reserve re-estimation satisfied
4. Deposit estimation parameters were aligned with actual production results. Open-pit mining was legally formalised.

Objectives

Development of optimal deposit development option considering all site-specific factors

Tasks

Prepare TEO Konditsii report (permanent) with estimation of precious polymetallic reserves

Completed work

1. Substantiated permanent exploration parameters (Konditsii) for open-pit and underground mining options
2. Assessed feasibility of mining and processing titanium-magnetite ore based on technical-economic options study
3. Analysed bench-berm stability of designed open pits, provided detailed justification of mining losses and dilution
4. Considered all site-specific factors and associated constraints when developing the site layout plan
5. Substantiated inadequacy of inclusion of titanium-magnetite mineralisation and waste rock of the deposit into the state balance
6. Assessed environmental and social impacts of the project on the area
7. Completed financial and economic modelling for 15 project development scenarios, including variable production rates, processing solutions, metal prices and integrated deposit development
8. Estimated reserves for subsequent approval using geostatistical block modelling approach
9. Provided recommendations for expanding the project resource base

Work results

1. Approved permanent exploration parameters for open-pit mining of Viksha deposit with palladium, copper, platinum, gold and silver reserves under the optimal development option
2. Approved temporary exploration parameters for underground mining, as well as palladium, copper, platinum, gold and silver reserves as off-balance material
3. Approved in-pit dumping in mined-out areas of open pits

Objectives

Preparation of the deposit for mothballing due to reserve depletion

Tasks

1. Estimation of remaining reserves
2. Addressing discrepancies between actual reserves and those accounted for on the state balance

Completed work

1. Delineated and estimated remaining reserves based on various mining methods
2. Completed full reconciliation between exploration and production data since the start of mining and considering all modifications to estimation parameters and reserves
3. Proved that the approach used for reserve estimation at early stages of deposit development was inappropriate and resulted in double accounting of reserves

Work results

1. Approved remaining reserves that reflect the actual in-situ status
2. 11 tonnes of wrongly estimated gold reserves written off from the company balance

Objectives

Develop an optimal deposit development option considering actual site conditions

Tasks

1. Re-estimation of reserves for the open-pit mining method
2. Preparation of TEO Konditsii report (permanent) for open pit and underground mining options with estimation of gold and silver reserves

Completed work

1. Justified conversion of a portion of reserves from underground to open-pit extraction based on technical-economic analysis
2. Reconciled exploration and production data; completed data QA/QC for all exploration phases
3. Prepared geological justification of permanent exploration parameters (Konditsii) for combined mining for 8 options incorporating follow-up exploration and production results
4. Defined optimal pit shells with consideration of geotechnical study results
5. Provided objective estimates of losses and dilution taking geological and mining conditions of each mining area into account
6. Justified the optimal mineral processing flowsheet
7. Created financial models for 12 options of deposit development
8. Evaluated the exploration potential of the deposit
9. Identified project implementation risks and appropriate management measures

Work results

1. Approved permanent exploration parameters, as well as gold and silver reserves for the combined mining option
2. Design mining limits reflect the balance between safety and profitability
3. Optimized mineral processing flowsheet

Objectives

Evaluate project economics in current macroeconomic context integrating optimised main technical solutions

Tasks

1. Review and optimisation of main technical solutions
2. Development of three alternative layouts with optimised locations for waste dumps, industrial sites and TSF
3. Process flowsheet optimisation based on the outcomes of trade-off studies
4. Updating the deposit development strategy on the basis of optimisation results

Completed work

1. Geological model review
2. Assessed the level of geotechnical understanding and mining parameters
3. Ran pit optimisation and determined the optimal pit shell
4. Selected the production rate and aligned processing plant parameters with the agreed strategy
5. Selected TSF site
6. Conducted a trade-off study for various waste dump locations
7. Generated annual face positions for the engineered pit
8. Developed a mining schedule and a plan that optimises the head grade
9. Updated high-level mining capital and operating costs

Work results

1. Reviewed the geological model and provided recommendations for improving the model
2. Selected the optimal combination of main technical solutions with consideration of capital and operating costs
3. Company adopted the optimal development strategy for the asset that incorporates the updated mine plan, as well as macroeconomic factors

Objectives

Progress the project from the conceptual stage to the start of production

Tasks

1. Development of a follow-up study programme
2. Methodological guidance and interpretation of results
3. Determination of the development strategy and designing the project
4. Updating the deposit development strategy based on optimisation results

Completed work

1. Assessed exploration maturity and the quality of the available exploration results
2. Developed comprehensive follow-up study programmes, provided remote and direct on-site supervision of geological, geotechnical and hydrogeological studies
3. Developed and supervised metallurgical study programmes, geometallurgical mapping, as well as studies aimed at defining the optimal mineral processing flowsheet
4. Conducted specialist modelling, including resource, geometallurgical, geomechanical and groundwater flow modelling
5. Completed various conceptual, as well as Scoping and Pre-Feasibility studies
6. Obtained approvals for project technical solutions from respective authorities of various levels
7. Supported the client during fundraising

Work results

1. Developed a flowsheet for processing off-balance refractory and transition mineralisation
2. Prepared a mining schedule for the first stage of deposit development
3. Produced a development strategy for the entire deposit

Objectives

Assess project viability in current market conditions

Tasks

Technical and economic evaluation of a project for production of magnesium and precipitated silicon dioxide from Bazhenovskoye deposit tailings

Completed work

1. Reviewed and accepted the report with main technical solutions for the project on behalf of the Client
2. Analysed global and local magnesium and precipitated silicon dioxide markets
3. Developed baseline, upside and downside scenarios for the project with economic assessment for each of them
4. Evaluated potential benefits of various forms of available government support
5. The work resulted in preparation of a financial model for the project with supporting presentation materials for the Client

Work results

1. Work results were presented at investment committees of Renova Group and Rusnano
2. The developed financial model was used by PWC to assess the effectiveness of government support mechanisms — special investment contracts (SPIC)

Objectives

Satisfying the needs of Russia's industrial sector in REM and niobium as part of the State Programme on "Development of Industry and Improvement of its Competitiveness until 2020"

Tasks

Technical and economic justification of permanent exploration parameters (Konditsii), estimation of reserves and their registration on the state balance for niobium, rare earth metals and scandium of Buranny site of Tomtor deposit

Completed work

1. Estimated REM reserves (17 commercial elements) with professional adaptation of results from various exploration stages
2. Estimated three metallurgical types of ore within TEO based on geometallurgical mapping data
3. Provided metallurgical input into substantiation of exploration parameters based on the process description report for a new hydrometallurgical plant to be built in Zabaykalsky Krai
4. Successfully presented a technically and economically feasible logistics for transporting ore from the deposit to GKZ experts

Work results

1. Approved permanent exploration parameters for estimation of crandallite ore reserves and temporary parameters for siderite ore reserves
2. Reserves registered on the state balance will form the basis for future mine design work

Objectives

• Preparation of design documentation
• Preparation of a technical design report for deposit underground mining

Tasks

1. Develop technical documentation with subsequent approval by Glavgosexpertiza and Rosnedra Central Committee for Development of Mineral Deposits (CKR-TPI Rosnedra)
2. The design should ensure that excessive losses, dilution and high-grading are avoided
3. Ensure safe mining operations for extraction of reserves under a watercourse

Completed work

1. Conducted geotechnical and hydrogeological studies
2. Developed main technical solutions and selected the optimal option for developing the deposit
3. Provided solutions for mining reserves from underneath the watercourse
4. Successfully presented the developed design documentation to Glavgosexpertiza and Rosnedra CKR-TPI.
5. Prepared a complete set of application documents required for license term extension and supported the Client during its consideration by Rosnedra

Work results

1. Approvals obtained from State Environmental Expertise, Glavgosexpertiza and Rosnedra CKR-TPI
2. Licence terms amended as requested

Objectives

• Operational process optimisation aimed at reducing ore transport costs
• Development of design and engineering documentation for construction permitting

Tasks

1. Develop design documentation for the crushing and conveying system to be placed in the central part of the iron ore open pit
2. Develop engineering documentation for the crushing and conveying system to be placed in the central part of the iron ore open pit
3. Review and accept the provided basic and detailed engineering deliverables
4. Provide technical support during Glavgosexpertiza review
5. Prepare a complete set of cost estimation documents with identification of cost centres for procurement procedures
6. Prepare engineering documentation and make necessary modifications under warranty obligations during the construction period up to the start-up
7. Approve deviations and solutions for associated projects
8. Review and accept geotechnical analysis results
9. Develop solutions for construction of the pit wall according to geotechnical requirements

Completed work

1. Collected and reviewed available information and data
2. Defined key pit wall design parameters
3. Prepared detailed engineering documentation
4. Made necessary changes, as some of the equipment could not be procured
5. Prepared design documentation
6. Provided designer supervision support with continuous presence at the construction site
7. Prepared engineering documentation for construction of the IPCC system

Work results

1. Documentation approved by Glavgosexpertiza
2. Documentation accepted for construction

Objectives

Review of design documentation with selection of the optimal tailings disposal option for the deposits

Tasks

Propose the optimal option for storing tailings produced from processing ore of Mangazeyskoye and Vertikalnoye deposits

Completed work

1. Reviewed available design documentation at the current design stage along with other documents
2. Provided a description of current status of disposal facilities
3. Proposed options for future disposal of plant tailings
4. Assessed key risks for each option
5. Completed economic assessment and prepared a construction cost estimate

Work results

Technical report on review of design documentation with selection of the optimal option for disposal of tailings from processing ore of Mangazeyskoye and Vertikalnoye deposits

Objectives

1. Preparation of design and engineering documentation for an underground mine with associated infrastructure
2. Preparation of design and engineering documentation for a gold processing plant with associated infrastructure

Tasks

1. Preparation of design documentation (PD phase)
2. Preparation of engineering documentation (RD phase)
3. Preparation of Environmental Impact Assessment (OVOS) documentation
4. Development of a sanitary protection zone design report and its approval by the Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare of the Russian Federation (Rospotrebnadzor)

Completed work

1. Collected and reviewed available information and input data, suggested modifications to site investigations programme
2. Checked the quality and accepted the results of comprehensive site investigations
3. Developed key technical solutions for the development of the deposit
4. Designed access, development and production sequence, as well as ventilation layout as 3D models, which were used to prepare a package of technical documents for the expert review and the mine
5. Optimised project solutions adopted during previous design stages
6. Prepared engineering documentation package for the underground mine based on design stage documents
7. Developed sanitary protection zone design, including information on public health risk assessment
8. Estimated damage to aquatic and biological resources, assessed impact on aquatic biota and habitats, including remediation measures for the site
9. Conducted public consultations and prepared OVOS (environmental impact assessment) documents

Work results

Design and engineering documentation for the underground mine with associated infrastructure:

1. Approved by the State Environmental Expertise
2. Approved by Glavgosexpertiza
3. The intended activity has been approved by the territorial branch of the Federal Fisheries Agency (Rosrybolovstvo)
4. Sanitary protection zone design, including public health risk assessment, has been approved by the regional Rospotrebnadzor agency in Kamchatka Krai

Preparation of design and engineering documentation for a gold plant with associated infrastructure is underway.

Objectives

Increase Nasedkino gold mine production rate to 1.9 Mtpa

Tasks

1. Execution of exploration programme
2. Preparation of TEO Konditsii report (permanent) with estimation of reserves (gold and secondary minerals)
3. Preparation of a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) report
4. Preparation of design and engineering documentation

Completed work

1. Completed full geological logging of over 35,000 meters of core, chemical analysis of 38,000 geological samples and hydrogeological investigations
2. Prepared TEO Konditsii report (permanent) with estimation of reserves (gold and secondary minerals)
3. Estimated Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves amenable to cyanide leaching
4. Determined the optimal option for increasing the mining rate with consideration of the Itakinskoye operation
5. Created a financial-economic model and prepared a report in accordance with the JORC Code guidelines
6. Developed main technical solutions aimed at increasing Nasedkino plant throughput
7. Reviewed and agreed site investigation programmes for development of design documentation
8. Prepared technical upgrade documentation for Nasedkino plant
9. Technical upgrade documentation successfully passed industrial safety expert review
10. Prepared design and engineering documentation

Work results

1. TEO Konditsii report (permanent) and reserve estimation were approved by GKZ
2. Client obtained funding to expand Nasedkino plant
3. Public consultations conducted based on OVOS findings with a favourable decision received
4. Approval obtained from the State Environmental Expertise
5. Approval obtained from Glavgosexpertiza
6. Client has obtained a permit for construction work