In the Murmansk region, at the Karnasurt mine, the Lovozersky Mining and Processing Plant (part of the Mining Division of Rosatom State Corporation) has launched three new treatment units. This will increase the production of loparite ore, the main source of rare earth metals in Russia. The first tons of ore have already been mined, according to Vladimir Fedyakov, General Director of the enterprise.
The new production facilities will ensure stable supplies of loparite concentrate to the Solikamsk Magnesium Plant, a key processing asset of the division. The reserves prepared for extraction are estimated at 63,000 tons of ore, which guarantees the fulfillment of the production plan for 2025.
In parallel, the plant completed the restoration of the 17th eastern ore drift, which was mothballed back in Soviet times. After strengthening the supports, replacing cable lines, and laying tracks, the miners once again gained access to promising ore reserves. This section will provide raw materials to the enterprise until at least 2026.
The mine is also implementing innovative selective mining technologies that allow separating ore and waste rock underground. According to Chief Engineer Sergey Lakhtin, this increases the efficiency of enrichment and reduces the load on the processing plant. In the near future, GOK plans to purchase new high-performance drilling equipment.
According to the results of geological exploration of the southwestern flank of the Karnasurt deposit, ore reserves amount to 5.2 million tons. Their development is planned until 2037. The design of new horizons, a mine shaft, and ventilation complexes is being carried out by the "Giprotsvetmet" Institute. These measures will maintain a stable level of production until new capacities are put into operation.
Read more on the topic:
- Cluster for deep processing of rare earth metals will start operating in Krasnoyarsk from 2026
- Subsoil is rich, but there are no processing technologies: Eurasian Times explained Russia's dependence on imports of rare earth metals
- Strategic independence: Russia will restore the production of rare earth magnets lost after the collapse of the USSR
