Nordgold has invested approximately $20 million to expand and upgrade the mining fleet at its largest mine, the flagship Gross mine in Yakutia, Russia. Heavy machinery purchased in 2020 for the Gross mine includes five mine trucks, two excavators and one drilling rig. Gross has also acquired additional support vehicles including fuel trucks that will speed up fleet refuelling on site. Gross will also invest approximately $7 million in mining equipment maintenance with replacement of major components.
Gregory Edmonds, Nordgold Corporate Mobile Maintenance Director, said: “The mobile maintenance team is well prepared for the expansion of the mining and support fleet at Gross. We are in the process of commissioning our new workshop to manage the increased workload. This modern facility will ensure safe, quality, fast turn-around of servicing and repairs of the existing and new fleet. Our strategic agreements with key partners Vostochnaya Technica (Caterpillar), Sumitec (Komatsu) and Epiroc include training, technical support, parts, technology and operational excellence projects are in place and critical to our success. Our newly implemented management system and SAP Enhancement programme deliver the frameworks and systems to effectively manage the Gross mining fleet as it continues to perform at best practice levels of performance and cost.”
In addition to the new haul trucks, Gross mine has acquired two new Komatsu excavators (PC2000 and PC3000). The giant Komatsu PC3000 is the most powerful excavator in the mine fleet today: its gross weight is 260 t with a 15 m3 bucket. “These massive machines are run by our most skilled and proficient operator teams. Their high performance will ensure the continued successful development of the Gross deposit.”
Nikolai Skripkin Mobile Maintenance Director of the Gross mine, said: “The Caterpillar 785D haul trucks delivered this year are designed for high performance, comfort, safety, reliability and long service life. Our systematic approach to maintenance will extend the useful life and reduce operating costs of these trucks. I am confident we have the systems in place and the team to safely maintain our expanding fleet to support mining operations at the outstanding Gross mine.”
Launched in 2018, the Gross mine has exceeded all expectations and has developed quickly to become Nordgold’s largest mine, and one of the largest operations in Sakha Republic. Gross is the third mine that Nordgold successfully conceived, developed, and built (in two years), after the Bissa and Bouly mines in Burkina Faso (West Africa). Gross is an all seasons heap leach open pit mine with 17 years life of mine. It supports 1,100 jobs. In 2019, the mine produced 8.2 t of refined gold.