OREANDA-NEWS. June 25, 2010. For the first time in the mine’s history, ore production at Severny-Gluboky mine of OJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel ("Norilsk Nickel" or "the Company") was brought up to the rated capacity of 500 ktpm or 6 Mtpa, reported the press-centre of Norilsk Nickel.

Located in the city of Zapolyarny (Murmansk Region), Severny-Gluboky mine is operated by the Company’s subsidiary OJSC Kola MMC. Total ore output at the mining operations of Kola MMC amounted to 7.9 Mt in 2009.

Severny-Gluboky mine is the largest industrial project in the post-Soviet history of Murmansk Region. Its total cost was estimated at RUB 14.89 B, and planned 2010 investments amount to RUB 1.3 B. 

According to General Director of OJSC Kola MMC Mr. Sergey Selyandin, "driving the Severny-Gluboky mine up to the design capacity will guarantee the sustainable future for the Company, which means maintaining the achieved level of primary nickel production from own raw materials, and providing jobs for the citizens of Norilsk, Zapolyarny and Monchegorsk for the next several decades".

In order to secure mine operation at the rated capacity, in 2009 the Company brought together the whole fleet of underground mining vehicles. The following self-propelled machinery and equipment of such manufacturers as Atlas Copco, Sandvik Tamrock, and Cat was purchased: 22 roadheaders and continuous mining machines, 17 blast hole drillers, 29 LHDs, 21 trucks, and 16 blast hole charging units.  Furthermore, the number of personnel was increased and qualified specialists were trained.

Ongoing mine development in the Eastern part of -320 level implies arrangement of several new ore chutes. This will allow expanding mining operations to the South-East ore body (in addition to currently mined South-West and Central ore bodies) and increasing minable ore reserves. Moreover, Kola MMC has already ordered to devise a project for -440 level.

According to Mr. Ryumin, Director for Production Operations Management, "all the mines of Norilsk Nickel Group are producing the planned ore volumes thus ensuring smooth performance of the Company in general".

Total ROM ore production at the operations of Norilsk Nickel Group reached 36.5 Mt in 2009.