OREANDA-NEWS. May 28, 2013. In June the first stage of modernization of the hoisting complex in skip shaft No. 3 (SS-3) of Taimyrsky Mine of MMC Norilsk Nickel’s Polar Division will be completed.

Project’s goal: increasing SS-3 production capacity by 500,000 t to 4,000,000 t of ore p.a.  Currently, the mine ensures the output of about 3.5 mln t of ore annually.

Mine winders, the Southern and the Northern ones, were commissioned in 1984. The main equipment was manufactured in early 80s and has become obsolete and outdated by now.

Start-up works at the Southern winder will begin in June. After that the next stage will follow, modernization of the Northern part of SS-3, which is scheduled for completion in 2015.

The first stage involves upgrading of the Southern part of SS-3. For the period of installation works in the Southern part of the shaft the major part of ore hoisting operations will be performed by the Northern winder as well as the ventilation skip shaft of the mine.

“By now almost all installation works in the Southern part of the shaft have been completed. The winder has been installed, the works involving the distribution substation have been completed, skips and conveyors have been replaced. The works in the dosing chamber and the feeder at the level of 1345 m are under completion. In addition to equipment replacement we are targeting at decreasing accident rate and increasing labour safety”, said Alexander Sozykin, senior expert of Taimyrsky Mine Development Department.