Gold and polymetallic deposit in the Chelyabinsk region, Russia

For sale: gold and polymetallic deposit (silver, copper, zinc, sulfur, cadmium, and indium), located in the Chelyabinsk region, Russian Federation. A valid exploration and mining license is in place until 2047.

Main Features of the Deposit

• The deposit is classified as medium-sized in terms of reserves and represents a new polymetallic ore region with potential to develop into a separate ore cluster. Economic calculations indicate that the deposit is highly profitable and risk-resistant.
• The deposit area has a highly developed infrastructure (electricity, gas, and transportation accessibility).
• The area has an unlimited labor force and no need for a rotational camp.
• Simple mining conditions, low losses of useful components during extraction.
• High grade of useful components in the ore.
• Reserve estimates are based on the results of analysis by a laboratory certified in Russia and also holding an international certificate.
• The ore contains recoverable gold, and the possibility of quickly producing commercial Dore alloy on-site.
• Close proximity to consumers (within the region).
• If the resource potential of the area is confirmed, the deposit will be classified as a large one.
• All drilled core samples have been preserved for monitoring purposes. Wells, located under guard in a core storage facility.
• The deposit area is a gently rolling forest-steppe plain; there are no watercourses within the deposit area.
• The lands in the deposit area are owned by the district administration, forestry, power grids, and private farms. Rail and road access are available. A high-voltage power line runs directly through the deposit, and a work permit has been obtained.

Geological structure

• The ore bodies of the deposit are tabular in shape and either lie on the roof of marbled limestones as a mantle or are located directly within the limestones at a distance of 3-50 m below the roof. The ore bodies do not outcrop at the surface, located at depths ranging from 200 to 450 meters below the surface.
• The deposit comprises two main ore bodies, one above the other. The average thickness of the ore bodies is 3 meters.
• The ore at the site is classified as polymetallic in mineral composition, primary in oxidation state, and disseminated and pyrite in morphology.
• The main ore minerals are pyrite and sphalerite, with minor amounts of chalcopyrite, fahlore, and rare native gold and silver.
• The ore quality is considered high-grade. The primary minerals are zinc and gold, with associated minerals including copper, silver, cadmium, and indium.

Mining and Geological Conditions, Deposit Opening System

• The deposit is classified as Group I in terms of development complexity.
• The presence of a protected zone around a group of high-voltage power transmission lines of national importance, the deep occurrence of ore bodies (more than 200 meters from the surface), and the small thickness of the ore bodies predetermined underground mining.
• The deposit's ore bodies will be mined using a gob-fill system, which will significantly increase the stability of the high-voltage power transmission line supports and will not require additional technical measures.
• Ore body access at the site is planned via the main transport slope and a vertical ventilation shaft. The relatively deep occurrence of the ore bodies allows for the convenient location of the ramp mouth away from the ore bodies.
• The ramp portal is designed in an area of ​​arable land (an agreement has been reached with the owner) in a location isolated from settlements, taking into account the closest approach to the upper part of the ore bodies and the optimal location of the future mining and processing plant infrastructure.

Deposit Reserves

• The deposit's ores are distinguished from other pyrite deposits in the Urals by their good gold recovery.
• The gold in the deposit's ores is found both in native form and in chalcopyrite, sphalerite, and pyrite.
• Technological studies of the deposit's ores and a study of the capabilities of the region's processing plants have shown that, due to the high gold content and its good recovery, it is feasible to process the ores according to the developed scheme at a new processing plant directly at the deposit.

Balance Reserves (C1+C2):

• Ore 4,375 thousand tons
• Zinc 309 thousand tons
• Gold 14,704 kg
• Silver 103 t
• Copper 17 thousand t
• Sulfur 708 thousand t
• Cadmium 1402 t
• Indium 18 t

Projected resources (P2):

• Zinc 487 thousand t
• Gold 23 t

Environmental conditions

• Favorable factors that reduce the impact on the environmental situation in the deposit area are as follows:
• The deposit is located outside the protection zones of water bodies and underground water sources.
• Underground mining, which minimizes land disturbance on the surface.
• The mining and geological features of the deposit allow the main industrial infrastructure facilities of the mining and processing plant to be located away from settlements.
• Using continuous backfilling of mined-out areas eliminates the need to store toxic pyrite tailings from the processing plant on the surface.
• Using press filters for dry storage of processing plant tailings eliminates the need for a bulk tailings dam, reduces environmental impacts, and saves on process water consumption.