Russian aluminum producer UC Rusal has announced the start-up of the Cheremoukhovskaya-Gloubokaya mine at its North Urals bauxite mine complex in Severouralsk, Russia. At a depth of 1,550 m, the mine becomes Russia’s deepest and accesses bauxite deposits estimated at 42 million mt.
Active construction of the Cheremoukhovskaya-Gloubokaya mine began in 2010. Based on optimization of ore extraction and transportation, Rusal expects the mine to lower bauxite cash costs at the North Urals complex by up to 15%.
Rusal CEO Vladislav Soloviev commented, “We plan to produce up to 1.2 million mt of bauxite annually at Cheremoukhovskaya-Gloubokaya. The mine’s high production potential will ensure the stable development of Severouralsk and nearby Krasnoturyinsk, where the Bogoslovsky aluminum smelter is located and where 95% of the mined bauxite is shipped.”
A second phase of the complex is planned to launch in 2016, and a third phase in 2017.
Construction and development of Cheremoukhovskaya-Gloubokaya mine will ensure stable operations at the North Urals bauxite mine complex over the long-term and extend the mine’s lifespan by at least 40 years, the Rusal announcement said.
