Mining Magazine October 2015 | Page 19

ALROSA ’ S UDACHNY MINE A DIAMOND STORY

‘ ALROSA plans to ramp up production at Zarnitsa to produce more than three million tons of ore per year ’

While smaller mining operations at Zarnitsa have existed since 1998 — only yielding about one million tons of ore per year — now is the time for Zarnitsa to step it up . Starting next year , ALROSA plans to ramp up production at Zarnitsa to produce more than three million tons of ore per year . The workforce and equipment of Udachny are being currently transferred to Zarnitsa .
ALROSA also plans to develop its Verkhne-Munskoye deposit , which was discovered in 2007 and is located 160 kilometers from the Udachny Mining and Processing Division . The site consists of four kimberlite pipes and should add another three million tons of ore per year . The mine is expected to start development in 2018 .
Although the above ground operation is closing , the work for ALROSA has only just begun .
19