Overview
| Stage | Production |
| Mine Type | Open Pit |
| Commodities |
|
| Mining Method |
- Truck & Shovel / Loader
- Dragline
|
| Production Start | ...  |
Varvara deposit is a part of Varvara Hub. |
Source:
p. 88
Polymetal International plc holds Varvara through its 100% subsidiary Varvarinskoye JSC.
Contractors
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Summary:
The mineralized bodies at Varvarinskoye are classic gold-copper skarn types that are primarily contained within the eastern side of the local fault and are associated with the border between geological formations. Copper-gold porphyry is overlaid with quartz-sulphide gold veins and scarn to produce very complex and geometrically complicated zones of economic mineralisation. Mineralisation is discontinuous over a strike length of 4 km and is divided into five zones.
The main primary copper mineral is chalcopyrite with some bornite. The gold is mostly in free form and associated with pyrites and other sulphides. A hallow oxidation zone occurs within 10 to 50 m below the surface. In this part of the Varvara deposit, copper is mostly represented by oxide minerals not amenable to conventional flotation.
Based on mineralogy and metallurgical characteristics, all mineralisation is divided into four types based on the degree of oxidation and copper grade:
1.primary gold (copper less than 0.2 per cent.);
2.primary copper (with gold present);
3.oxide gold (copper less than 0.1 per cent.);
4.oxide copper (with gold present).
Types 1 and 3 are processed through the leaching circuit and are known as leach ore. Type 2 is processed through the flotation circuit and is known as float ore. Type 4 is currently stockpiled separately and not processed.
Mining Methods
- Truck & Shovel / Loader
- Dragline
Summary:
The Varvara deposit is elongated in a northeastern direction and has a length of up to 4.5 m and a width of 1.2 km.
Development of reserves is carried out by "Ugo-Zapadny", "Severo-Vostochny-3" and "Prirechny" open pits.
Excavation of rock is carried out in 5-10 m benches. Draglines and shovels are utilized for extraction-and-loading operations in pit and wheel loaders in stockpiles. Ore and waste haulage is carried out via Cat777 and KOMATSU HD 785 haulage trucks.
Drilling and blasting operations are carried out by contractor.
Separate storage of ores is carried out at the Varvara, depending on the grades of ore and the content of the useful component.
Flow Sheet:
Source:
Run-of-mine ore is crushed in batches in a single jaw crusher, with separate crushed ore storage for leach and float material.
The float ore circuit comprises two-stage milling (SAG mill and ball mill).
The leach ore circuit comprises two-stage milling.
Flow Sheet:
Summary:
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Combined production numbers are reported under
Varvara hub Operation
Operational Metrics:
| Metrics | 2018 | 2017 |
|
Ore tonnes mined
| 870 kt | 1,261 kt |
|
Waste
| 7.2 Mt | 9.6 Mt |
Reserves at January 1, 2023:
| Category | Tonnage | Commodity | Grade | Contained Metal |
|
Proven & Probable
|
19,040 kt
|
Gold
|
0.9 g/t
|
551 koz
|
|
Proven & Probable
|
19,040 kt
|
Copper
|
0.46 %
|
40.6 kt
|
|
Measured & Indicated
|
7,410 kt
|
Gold
|
1 g/t
|
228 koz
|
|
Measured & Indicated
|
7,410 kt
|
Copper
|
0.53 %
|
6.9 kt
|
|
Inferred
|
1,250 kt
|
Gold
|
1.8 g/t
|
71 koz
|
|
Inferred
|
1,250 kt
|
Copper
|
0.67 %
|
2.8 kt
|
|
Total Resource
|
8,660 kt
|
Gold
|
1.1 g/t
|
299 koz
|
|
Total Resource
|
8,660 kt
|
Copper
|
0.57 %
|
9.7 kt
|
Source:
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- Subscription is required.