Construction of the Amursk hydrometallurgical second stage hub

Processing center for refractory gold concentrates of the Russian Far East

Its implementation is carried out in accordance with the Resolution of the Khabarovsk Kray Governor of September 27, 2007 No. 139 On the construction of a mining and processing plant at the Albazino deposit and a hydrometallurgical plant in Amursk. The project is included in the list of investment projects envisaged by the Strategy of the Khabarovsk Kray Social and Economic Development until 2025.

Located in the Russian Far East, the Amursk POX hub is the very first pressure oxidation plant in Russia, and one of Polymetal’s largest projects that combines operations around a central processing facility. 

The creation of the Amursk POX hub was a key project for the Group’s long-term growth strategy. After careful consideration, Amursk was chosen as the site for our operations for several strategic reasons. Not only did the region offer relatively inexpensive power sources, a qualified workforce and developed transportation infrastructure, but there was an abundance of refractory ore in the far-eastern region with a major lack of processing capacity. So in 2007, the Group secured several land plots intended for the construction of the hub, and after comprehensive engineering and design works, construction began in 2010. Construction finished towards the end of 2011 and the first gold was poured in Q2 of 2012.

Since its commissioning, the POX hub has undergone two stages of expansion, with the third stage currently underway.

Pressure oxidation, also known as autoclave leaching, was selected as the preffered processing option for the Albazino and Mayskoye refractory gold deposits. This process is particularly well suited for treating refractory ores that give low recovery rates when directly leached with cyanide. There is solid engineering support behind the project, including:

• Extensive technological testing by SGS Lakefield and Polymetal Engineering
• Basic and detailed design by SNC Lavalin
• High-pressure OEMs from Japan, US and the Netherlands
• Equipment installation, personnel training, commissioning and ramp up closely supervised and consulted by DevMin
• Experienced operators and engineers recruited from base metal POX plants in the FSU

The POX facility is fully automated, with a processing design capacity of 225 ktpa of concentrate, depending on the sulphur grades. The external infrastructure (power, gas and water) and reserved land plots have the capability to accommodate a two-fold increase in the capacity of the Amursk POX facility.

• Resident of the PSEDA Khabarovsk
• One-stop-shop approach to assist investor to implement the project

Albazino, Mayskoye, third-party concentrate