Untitled - PRIME Gold

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882005NORILSK NICKEL • ANNUAL REPORT •NORILSK NICKEL • ANNUAL REPORT •200589Slope angles of the pit walls vary from 20 to 55 degrees andthe mining and stripping benches are 5 meters high. The nonoperatingbenches are 30 meters high in the extreme positionwith a slope angle of 65 degrees. The safety berms are8 meters wide.Mined rock is loaded on to trucks by excavators, with wasterock being transported to external dumps and ore to the sortingyard of the gold extraction plant. Ingersol Rand CM-695Drock drills with a drilling diameter of 160 mm are used fordrilling operations; excavators EKG-5A are used to excavateand load the rock, together with the Caterpillar D-9R bulldozer;BelAZ-7540 dump trucks with a carrying capacity of30 tonnes are used to transport ore and overburden. The annualdesign pit output of mined rock is 2 million m 3 and of minedore 800 thousand tonnes.Enrichment process technologyMore than 92% of the gold ore in the Zapadny deposit is inmineral form and only a very small portion is in the shape ofthe thinnest clots found in pyrite and pyrrhotite. The goldextracting plant uses gravitation technology with subsequentcyanidation of the concentrate.OJSC Yuzhno-Verkhoyanskaya MiningCompanyNezhdaninsky depositFrom April 2005, selective mining of the most enriched oresin the Nezhdaninsky deposit by the Yuzhno-VerkhoyanskayaMining Company was suspended. Preparatory works are to beconducted and additional surveys performed on the depositin 2006–2007 to evaluate the various options for the effectivemining of the deposit (open-pit, underground or combinedmethod).OJSC Matrosov MineMatrosov mineIn mid-2004, the mining and extraction of gold by Matrosovmine at the Natalka deposit were suspended and large-scalegeological exploration on the flanks and deep horizons of theNatalka deposit began. Geological exploration is scheduledfor completion in 2006. Based on the results of the exploration,the Group plans to assess the feasibility of developing thedeposit using open pit mining and processing large volumesof ore. Matrosov Mine receives electrical power generatedby the Kolymskaya hydro power plant through OJSCMagadanenergo transmission lines.••• Mineral resourcesand ore reserves9.3In 2005, Polus contracted SRK Consulting (SRK), one of theleading consultants in the mining industry, to perform an auditand classification/estimation of the gold bearing deposits inthe Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk and Magadan regions in accordancewith internationally accepted standards. The results of theaudit and classification are presented below.As part of its assessment, SRK reviewed all key informationused in the preparation of the latest reports on Polus's orereserves and mineral resources. In particular, SRK reviewedthe following information:• geological setting and nature of the deposits especially withregard to the resource estimation methodologies used;• nature of the gold mineralization;• historical and current sampling and assaying methodologyand coverage;• resource estimation methodology and classification;• results of any reconciliation studies completed to date todemonstrate that the reported resource has been accuratelyestimated; and• pit designs and other technical and financial data to demonstratethat the resource can be technically and economicallyexploited.In undertaking the above work, SRK visited Polus regionaloffices in Krasnoyarsk, Bodaibo and Magadan to review theavailable documentation and supporting geological data andalso undertook site visits to the operations and principal geological-explorationprojects. SRK also observed the mining operationsfirst hand, held discussions with production personnel,reviewed the assaying procedures and, where possible, examinedsamples of recently drilled core. SRK also undertook certaincheck calculations to verify the resource estimation workdone at each operation and, where appropriate, developedeconomic models for each asset so as to restrict the reportedmineral resources to material that has the potential to be economicallyextracted and the ore reserve to material that is justifiableto be mined at the time of reporting.Ore reserves of Polus at 1 September 2005 (1)Deposit Proved reserves Probable reservesMineral resources of Polus at 1 September 2005 (1)Note:(1) Polus, directly or via its subsidiaries, holds licenses for geological exploration and development of these deposits. The reported reserves and resources estimatesfor each deposit are given for the whole deposit and include interests attributable to minority shareholders in the Polus subsidiaries. The company holdingthe license for the development of the Verninskoye deposit was acquired in February 2005. Ore reserves and mineral resources are classified in accordancewith the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (JORC Code).The audit performed by SRK in early 2005 does not take intoaccount the data on the resources of the deposits acquiredby Polus in the second half of 2005 – deposits at the Kuranakhore field, Nezhdaninskoye and Kyuchus in the Republic ofSakha (Yakutia).During 2005, geological exploration designs were prepared forthese deposits and at the beginning of 2006 SRK started aJORC audit and classification/estimation of the deposits ofthe Kuranakh ore field, as well as at Nezhdaninskoye andKyuchus deposits.Ore Grade Gold Ore Grade Gold(mln. (g/tonne) (mln. (mln. (g/tonne) (mln.tonne) ounces) tonne) ounces)Olimpiada 20.6 4.6 3.1 71.3 3.8 8.7Oxidized 1.3 15.9 0.7 2.6 8.7 0.7Sulfide 19.3 3.8 2.4 68.7 3.6 8.0Zapadnoye – – – 4.2 2.8 0.4Verninskoye – – – 10.2 3.3 1.1Total 20.6 4.6 3.1 85.7 3.7 10.2Deposit Measured resources Indicated resources Inferred resourcesOre Grade Gold Ore Grade Gold Ore Grade Gold(mln. (g/tonne) (mln. (mln. (g/tonne) (mln. (mln. (g/tonne) (mln.tonne) ounces) tonne) ounces) tonne) ounces)Olimpiada 20.2 4.7 3.1 87.7 3.9 10.9 33.1 3.2 3.4Zapadnoye – – – 5.1 3.2 0.5 1.8 3.3 0.1Verninskoye – – – 26.6 2.0 1.7 10.4 2.9 1.0Natalka – – – 339.6 1.5 16.8 294.0 1.4 13.5Blagodatnoye – – – 55.2 2.5 4.4 83.5 2.2 6.0Chertovo Koryto – – – 13.3 2.4 1.0 14.2 2.2 1.0Titimukhta – – – – – – 9.4 4.3 1.3Total 20.2 4.7 3.1 527.5 2.4 35.3 446.4 1.8 26.3In 2006, a review is planned of the results of the audits conductedin 2005–2006 and an analysis of the requirementsand approaches used in international estimation/classificationpractice. Based on the results of these, a list of the measuresnecessary to obtain the maximum result from the internationalaudit will be developed.GOLD MINING ASSETS OF MMC NORILSK NICKEL(Polus)9
902005NORILSK NICKEL • ANNUAL REPORT •NORILSK NICKEL • ANNUAL REPORT •200591••• Review ofoperatingperformanceGeological and geodesic exploration9.4In 2005, Polus more than doubled its resource base: on1 January 2006 the recorded reserves of the company perRussian classification (categories B+C1+C2) grew to 56,875thousand ounces (including B+C1 – to 32,569 thousandounces) as compared to 25,721 thousand ounces (includingB+C1 – 17,522 thousand ounces) in 2004.The validation of 222 tonnes at the Blagodatnoye deposit(Krasnoyarsk Region) with the State Committee for Reservesof the Russian Federation, the acquisition of three gold miningassets in the Republic of Sakha – Yakutia and the acquisitionof new licenses for subsoil use in Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk,Magadan and Amur regions were all key factors in the increaseof Polus's resource base.The considerable growth of Polus's recorded mineral resourcebase resulted from both the acquisition of licenses and sharesin gold mining companies and from active geological explorationwork during the year. The validation by the StateCommittee for Reserves of the Russian Federation of theBlagodatnoye deposit resources may be credited as the mostsignificant result of geological exploration work in 2005. Itwas the first time in Russia in the last 10 years that theresources of a newly explored major gold deposit were includedin the state resources.In 2005, Lenzoloto performed exploration work at 24 licensedareas of alluvial gold and one area of hard rock gold.In addition, projects were prepared for the prospect appraisalwork at Eastern site (Magadan region), the Razdolinsky siteand the Zyryanovsky site, prospect appraisal and explorationwork at the Quartzevaya Gora deposit (Krasnoyarsk region) andexploration work at the Bamsky deposit (Amur region).At the end of 2005, preparations began for geologic explorationprojects and an audit of reserves in accordance with theJORC Code at the Kuranakh ore field and the Nezhdaninsky andKyuchus 1 deposits in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).The volume of drilling work grew significantly in 2005 – morethan 2.5 times to 143 thousand running meters as comparedto 57 thousand running meters in 2004.Ore mined and gold producedOperating highlights of Polus('000 tonnes or as noted)2005 2004 2003Ore minedOlimpiada deposit (1)Ore minedOxidized ore 1,631 1,824 1,710Sulfide ore 3,562 3,385 4,074Average gold grade (g/tonne)Oxidized 8.6 10.9 11.1Sulfide 3.3 4.6 3.7Alluvial gold deposits (2)Sand washed (million cubic meters) 10.8 13.06 –Average gold grade (g/m 3 ) 0.6 0.6 –Kuranakh ore field (3)Ore mined 842 – –Average gold grade (g/tonne) 1.67 – –Zapadnoye deposit (4)Ore mined 623 272 –Average gold grade (g/tonne) 1.61 2.1 –Natalka deposit (5)Ore mined – 94 –Average gold grade (g/tonne) – 2.8 –GOLD MINING ASSETS OF MMC NORILSK NICKEL(Polus)9In 2005, Polus's companies conducted geological explorationat the following 9 licensed gold deposits: Natalka deposit,Blagodatnoye deposit, Olimpiada deposit, Panimbinskayadeposit, Titimukhta, Chertovo Koryto, Mukodek, Verninskoyeand Degdekanskoye ore field.Gold produced ('000 ounces)Olimpiada deposit (1) 783 820 832Alluvial gold deposits (2) 212 246 –Kuranakh ore field (3) 27 – –Zapadnoye deposit (4) 15 11 –Natalka deposit (5) 1 8 –Nezhdaninskoye deposit 1 – –Total production of gold 1,038 1,085 832Notes:(1) Total gold output at the Olimpiada MEC amounted to 813,000 ounces. Since a part of the gold produced at Olimpiada MEC in 2005 was refined by theKrasnoyarsk Precious Metals Plant in January 2006, this amount will be taken into account when preparing financial statements for 2006.(2) Polus began to consolidate its 57.0% interest in Lenzoloto (subsequently increased to 68.2%), which develops alluvial gold deposits, in April 2004. The datafor 2004 represent the volume of sands washed and gold produced by Lenzoloto from the date of consolidation up until 31 December 2004.(3) The deposits at the Kuranakh ore field are developed by Aldanzoloto GRK, which was acquired by Polus in September 2005. The data reflect indicators consolidatedfrom 1 October 2005.(4) The Zapadnoye deposit is developed by the Lenskaya Gold Mining Company, a 100% subsidiary of Polus created at the end of 2004. In 2004, the Zapadnoyedeposit was mined by a company, which was part of Lenzoloto. Data for 2004 are included from the date of consolidation of Lenzoloto by Polus up until31 December 2004. The total ore mined in the Zapadnoye deposit in 2004 amounted to 314,000 tonnes. The production volume of Zapadny MEC includes theamount of gold produced through the testing of ore processing technology at the Chertovo Koryto deposit.(5) Polus began to consolidate its 57.1% interest in Matrosov Mine (subsequently increased 88.4%), which develops the Natalka deposit, in April 2004. The datafor 2004 represent the volume of ore mined and gold produced by Matrosov Mine from the date of consolidation up until 31 December 2004. The volume ofore mined by Matrosov Mine in 2004 amounted to 180,000 tonnes and the volume of gold production amounted to 14,000 ounces. Mining and extraction ofgold at the Natalka deposit were suspended in summer 2004 in order to conduct geological exploration work to further explore the flanks and deep horizonsof the deposit.1 Geologic exploration license is held by Yakutskaya Mining Company(Republic of Sakha – Yakutia)
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