The Strategic Phase is Completed
significant phase of the second stage of the ‘10th Anniversary of Kazakhstan Independence’ (DNK) mine at the depth of about 900 meters is completed by means of a breakthrough (connection) of two mine workings at the Donskoy Mining and Processing Plant. This phase allows to complete the mining operations and start ore production from the new field.
It took over four years for Donskoy Mining and Processing Plant to get to this. The breakthrough phase completion is an important milestone for the Company. Connection of the South and East drives* and the East haulage drive formed a ring in the mine required for the ore transportation as well as for the deep horizons air supply. This ring shall be 2,670 meters long. The scope of investments into this phase is over 18 billion tenge.
- The second stage of the mine is a strategic project of Kazchrome, - said Donskoy GOK Director Azamat Bektybayev. – A continuous long-term and medium-term operation of the both Ferroalloys Plants depends on timely commencement of the 2nd stage facilities. Therefore, we shall continue to pay the first priority attention to the projects, arrangements increasing the efficiency of the production.
The Contractor was engaged in the mines construction. The Donskoy GOK Mine Construction Shop, mine sections and maintenance specialists were involved in the subsidiary works. The next phase of the operations is a start-up of the main ventilator unit that is used for ventilation of the underground horizons. This process shall be conducted via the breakthrough ring.
– The breakthrough is done a month ahead of the schedule, the operations are conducted by two face ends, – said the second stage construction project head, specialist of ERG Capital Projects Roman Gorelkin. – Miners moved towards each other. In spite of complicated mining and geological conditions, all risks were under control and managed.
The general ore extraction from minus 480 horizon of the second stage is planned for 2024. ERG Capital Projects and Donskoy GOK Engineers are seeking options to accelerate this event by applying the best process solutions for mine construction works.
For reference:
The development of the horizon at minus 480 meters (this is 480 meters below the Baltic Sea level, almost 900 meters from the surface) has been carried out since 2006. The second stage of ‘10th Anniversary of Kazakhstan Independence’ (DNK) mine will make it possible to extract the deeply laying reserves of chrome ore. With the launch of the second stage, the volume of ore extraction at DGOK will increase considerably.
Drive – a horizontal subsurface mine workings, which does not outcome to the surface