The Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling Technology

Rusal receives mine license

(Posted on 23/05/19)

Rusal, a leading global aluminium producer, has obtained a license to develop the Goryachegorsk nepheline mine, which provides the main raw material for the Achinsk alumina refinery.

According to the initial analysis, the mine has sufficient reserves to ensure it is in operation for the next 60 years.

The Achinsk alumina refinery is Russia’s largest production site where nepheline ore is refined and alumina is produced. Currently, the refinery uses raw materials from the Kiya-Shaltyrskiy nepheline mine and Mazulskiy limestone mine which have enough reserves for 10 years.

The Goryachegorsk deposit is located in the Sharypovsk area of the Krasnoyarsk region. Since 2018, the nepheline reserves, which are on the state’s balance, amount to approximately 414.4 mln tonnes.

Before the start of exploration (scheduled for 2028-2029), there will be a number of operations which will need to be carried out including adding the reserves to the balance, project design work and construction of the necessary infrastructure including the rebuilding of the railway and the construction of the pit and enrichment facility at the Achinsk refinery.

The total volume of investments and exact start time for the exploration works will be agreed once all the project documents are finalised.

Evgenii Nikitin, CEO of RUSAL, said: “One of the Company’s top priorities is the development of the proper resource base whilst there is still a period of high pricing. The Goryachegorsk field reserves will ensure that the work at the Achinsk alumina refinery can continue uninterrupted for dozens of years after mining has completed at Kiya-Shaltyrskiy”.

Rusal is a leader of the global aluminium industry. In 2018, the Company accounted for about 5.8% of global production of aluminium and 6.2% of alumina production. The Company employs about 64,000 people. RUSAL's offices are operating in 20 countries all over the world and across 5 continents.