Petropavlovsk PLC has provided an update on key equipment deliveries in respect of the new flotation plant at its Pioneer mining and processing complex in Russia’s Far East Amur region 450 km northwest of the regional capital Blagoveshchensk, as well as a further update with regards to the company’s business operation, policies and initiatives towards protecting the health and welfare of its staff in relation to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Despite lockdown measures in place, all key equipment items necessary to complete construction of Petropavlovsk’s second flotation plant have now arrived in Russia, thus ensuring the project remains on track for Q4 2020 commissioning.
Pioneer is considered by management to be one of the largest gold mines in Russia based on processing capacity. In 2019, Pioneer accounted for 23% of the group’s total gold production with approximately 2.7 Moz produced to date. Three pits are currently in operation and the area is considered prospective and is actively being explored. Underground mine development commenced in Q3 2016 in the North East Bakhmut area using sublevel open stoping with waste backfill.
Pioneer is currently focused on mining non-refractory ores from several conventional open pits and underground operations. The construction of new flotation facilities at Pioneer will lead to a transition starting in Q4 2020 from mining non-refractory to mainly refractory ores for processing at the new POX Hub at Pokrovskiy some 40 km away to the south. Another flotation plant at Malomir some 670 km from the POX Hub is already fully ramped-up and operating above design parameters. The Pokrovskiy POX plant is only the second in Russia after Polymetal’s Amursk POX 1, with a second Polymetal POX plant set for commissioning in 2023.
Once operating at full capacity, the new flotation plant at Pioneer will double the group’s flotation capacity from 3.6 to 7.2 Mt/y. The crushing grinding lines are being gradually switched to the flotation circuit as ore transitions from non-refractory to refractory. Once operational, 3.6 Mt/y of milling capacity will be diverted away from the 6.7 Mt/y non refractory resin in pump (RIP) plant.
The POX method begins with the same processes as a traditional RIP method where ore is mined, crushed and ground. It then passes through a flotation circuit which produces a high-grade concentrate equating to between 2.8% and 4.2% of the original mass of the ore (‘concentrate yield’). Concentrate is then transported to the POX Hub for further processing and gold recovery.
On COVID-19 the miner states: “The health and safety of our workers and the local communities within which we operate remains our highest priority during this challenging period. As of today’s date [April 21], none of Petropavlovsk’s employees have been diagnosed with COVID-19. There have been very few cases registered in the Amur region which is a sparsely populated area roughly equivalent to half the size of France. Petropavlovsk’s mining operations and POX Hub are naturally isolated and away from population centres, and the group has implemented measures in each operating jurisdiction to meet Government guidelines which are appropriate to the specific needs of each location, including its head offices.”
Mine shift patterns have been adjusted to lower the frequency of new teams arriving onsite. Before commencing each shift, employees and contractors are required to undertake 14 days quarantine in two purpose-built camps. Medical infrared thermometers are used daily to take the temperature of employees. Designated isolation zones have been set up to house any individuals showing flu-like symptoms. In addition to the recommended hygiene measures, a comprehensive site awareness campaign is being carried out. Awareness programmes targeting the local community have also been put in place, and the company is supporting local businesses and the community through the distribution of masks and hand sanitisers.