OREANDA-NEWS. July 05, 2013. Start-up operations of carriage hoisters produced by the German SIEMAG have been finished at Komsomolsky Mine, Skalisty Pit auxiliary rockshaft No 1 (VZS-1). Comprehensive test are running with necessary start-up permits in filing.

Launch of VZS-1, the lowest level of which lies at 1,160 meters below surface will allow Komsomolsky Mine workers and contractors to descend to Skalisty Pit levels. Current conveyance runs on auxiliary skip shaft (VSS-1).

Two carriages are installed at VZS-1, the large carriage with a 90-person capacity and the small carriage with a 60-person capacity. The key functions of VZS-1 shaft include descent and ascent of workers in the shaft, delivery of process materials and equipment to 5 levels lying at various depths.

Upgrading of VSS-1 is in order after the launch of VZS-1 on July 1st. In that time the rock produced by mine development will be hoisted using VZS-1 shaft.

In the 2013-2014 timeframe a winding tower, a pithead building. a covered conveyor and a hoist machinery building shall be constructed at VSS-1. In addition, a skip loader (feeders, conveyor, measuring pockets) and adjoining facilities shall be constructed in the underground section of VSS-1. At this moment temporary mine development equipment is installed in VSS-1. VSS-1 will be launched in service in Q1 2015.

The largest high grade and cuprous ore development project in Russia is ongoing at Komsomolsky Mine, Skalistaya Pit. In addition to mine development necessary for future ore production, on-surface infrastructure facilities providing operation of Skalistaya Pit.