Opening and mining of Pt-Pd-Cu-Ni ores, Nittis-Kumuzhiya-Travyanaya area

The paper reviews the mining potential of opening and mining the Nittis-Kumuzhiya-Travyanaya (NKT) area using conveyor transport, advanced equipment and filling the worked-out area to improve plant capacity and reduce environmental damage to the area. Analysis was performed for a prospective scheme of mining additionally explored areas of Donnaya orebody as well as feasible options of ascending excavation involving selective breaking of thin veins. Results of consolidated geological and economic estimate for NKT reserves to a depth of 500 m are presented. The authors believe that this technology is efficient due to reduced dilution and ore losses, improved miners’ work conditions, lower power and labor costs as well as higher ore throughput.