Glencore Technologies reported progress on a contract to develop Ozernoye’s lead-zinc mine and concentrator in Buryatia, Russia, near the Sosnovo-Ozerskoye regional center.
The company reported that in September it worked with Hatch, AMC and Ozernoye to finish a geotechnical drilling program, test work and analysis. The camp was recommissioned, and the company began clearing the site for construction. Capital mine development launched, drill and blast works provided structural materials, and stripping began, Glencore Technologies reported.
The ore mineralogy at the site was described by the company as “remarkably similar” to that of its McArthur River project, which 25 years ago prompted the invention of the IsaMill ultrafine grinding technology.
Major construction of the plant’s facilities is planned for 2020 to 2022. The company plans to reach design capacity of 8 million metric tons per year in 2024.
