Development of the underground mine

2025

NWPC constructed the third stage of the crushing and conveyor complex to move ore from a depth of 140 metres to the surface.

The Company launched the second main air heater to provide ventilation for the second stage of the underground operations.

NWPC marked its 20th anniversary by extracting a 50-millionth tonne of ore at the Oleniy Ruchey open-pit mine and a 15-millionth tonne at the underground mine. Since its commissioning, the processing plant has produced 14 million tonnes of apatite concentrate.

2024

In the underground mine, NWPC connected a haulage drift to the auxiliary shaft 1 at a depth of 100 metres.

The findings of the exploration survey, which revealed an increase in reserves of 18 million tonnes of ore, were confirmed. To maintain efficient performance throughout the open pit's operating life, the Company purchased five 90-tonne dump trucks.

A 30-metre diameter thickener was installed to minimise losses in commercial output. NWPC also upgraded the cleaner flotation section and launched a floating pumping station to transport recycled water from the tailings dam to the processing plant. In 2024, the Company inaugurated a new cafeteria for its employees and contractors at the Oleniy Ruchey mine.

2023

NWPC continued to build its main and auxiliary facilities, including a new cafeteria, a concrete batching unit and an equipment repair facility. Construction of a shaft hoisting unit at the auxiliary shaft was underway.

The Company launched the second stage of the crushing and conveyor complex at a depth of 120 metres to crush rock and transport it from the crushing chamber to the surface.

Following an exploration survey, NWPC extended the operating life of the open-pit mine until 2030 and increased the initial ore reserves by 18 million tonnes.

2022

NWPC constructed the main and auxiliary units: commissioned the second main air heater and a 35/6 kW step-down substation and continued to build a shaft hoisting unit at the auxiliary shaft and a new cafeteria near the administrative complex.

The Company upgraded its processing plant’s workflow, investing over RUB 500 million in the project.

As part of construction and development of the Oleniy Ruchey underground mine, NWPC completed start-up and pre-commissioning of the second stage of the crushing and conveyor complex. It also launched three new employee safety systems produced by the Russian company JSC Radius.

2021

NWPC successfully increased its ore processing capacity, reaching the target design parameters. The fourth mill, the tank and column flotation line, came online.

Following a detailed exploration of the southwestern side of the open-pit mine, the Company submitted new design documentation to extend the life of the open-pit mine until 2027. According to experts, this will allow to extract an additional 3.5 million tonnes of apatite-nepheline ore.

NWPC continued construction of the second main air heater near the surface facilities of the auxiliary shaft.

2020

NWPC began construction of the third tank flotation line and the fourth centrifugal ball mill at its processing plant, and also commissioned a crushing and conveyor complex at its underground mine.

The Company completed the first stage of auxiliary shaft sinking at a depth of 526 metres and proceeded to the second stage. In addition, NWPC continued construction of the second main air heater in the auxiliary shaft.

To improve its logistics, NWPC stopped transporting fuel oil and diesel by road once it had built its own railway infrastructure and a separate railway line connecting the station with the boiler house facilities.

2019 год

The construction of the overland conveyor gallery of the crushing and conveyor facility connecting the underground mine with the processing plant, and installation of conveyor supports are underway. As the mine grows, the Company continues purchasing state-of-the-art underground equipment, including loaders, open-pit and underground mining trucks, drill rigs, and auxiliary machinery.

NWPC commissioned a new crushing and screening complex that can simultaneously produce four different grades of gravel at a rate of 100 tonnes of finished product per hour. The new complex will provide all of the Company’s inert materials at a lower cost.

2018 год

NWPC commissioned the first stage of the underground mine’s start-up complex, including the main fan and heating unit, the main water drainage system, and the central underground substation. The Company also test-mined a pilot block at a depth of 160 meters. The Company expanded its underground mine production control and commissioned workshops for maintenance and repair of self-propelled equipment.

The Company started initial construction works for an overland conveyor gallery of the crushing and conveyor facility connecting the underground mine with the processing plant, and started installation of conveyor supports. The length of the first-stage conveyor facility is over 3 kilometres.

The Company commissioned a railway track to the Oleniy Ruchey mine and established its own equipment maintenance and repair centre.