Russian Federation aluminium titan UC Rusal announced this week the commencement of operations at its new open pit bauxite mine in northwest Russia.
In a press release Rusal said the mine at Vezhayu-Vorykvinskoye in the Komi Republic. The mine has an estimated reserve of bauxite ore of 14 million metric tons. Also known as pit #4, it will be the biggest at Sredne-Timansky.
Preparation to mine the area began three years ago, and pre-mining activities removed 19.5 million cubic meters of material to finish the mining capital works at the site. Machines and equipment at the site cost ₽1 billion. A treatment facility was also installed at the site at a cost of ₽350 million.
Yakov Itskov, Director of Alumina Division at Rusal, noted the importance of the project in a related press release.
“The development of the Sredne-Timansky bauxite mine is the basis for a stable supply of bauxite to RUSAL’s alumina refineries in the Urals, and, therefore, a significant part of the Company’s supply of its own raw materials. In addition, the commissioning of the new sections will allow Timan Bauxite to contribute to the socio-economic well-being of the region in the long term.”
Rusal expects production to cease at the nearby pits #1 and #3 by the end of next year, followed by land reclamation at the site. Meanwhile, mine prep work continues at pit #2 at Verkhne-Shchugorskoye, where production is slated to start in 2023.