At the Udokan Mining and Metallurgical Combine, they have started producing high-grade cathode copper (Cu) with a metal content of 99.99%. Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the hydrometallurgical plant as part of the Eastern Economic Forum. Valery Kazikaev, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Udokanskaya Med, and Alexey Yashchuk, CEO of the company, also participated in the ceremony.
Udokan has become the first production complex in Russia to be built from scratch with a full cycle. Here, copper ore is not only mined but also processed to obtain finished cathode copper.
The launch of the hydrometallurgical plant is expected to be carbon-neutral. Udokanskaya Med will offset direct and indirect emissions from the enterprise associated with the start of the first cathode copper production by purchasing 1,000 carbon units. This aligns with the company's strategy to reduce its carbon footprint and achieve climate neutrality in production.
The first stage of the Udokan MMC, which includes a concentrating plant and a hydrometallurgical plant, is designed to produce an average of 150 thousand tons of copper per year. The products will be released in the form of copper concentrate and cathode copper.
For ore processing, the combine uses its own patented combined flotation-hydrometallurgical technology. It allows working with three types of copper ores at once – sulfide, oxidized, and mixed.
The project was implemented with the support of the Russian government, the leadership of Zabaykalsky Krai, and a syndicate of banks including VEB.RF, Gazprombank, and Sberbank. The project became one of the largest deals within the VEB.RF program "Project Finance Factory".
Valery Kazikaev, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Udokanskaya Med, called the launch of the hydrometallurgical plant an important event for the company. According to him, the path from the discovery of the deposit in 1949 to obtaining cathode copper was very long. The Udokan deposit is characterized by a unique composition and required a special approach, and the production is based on Russian patented technology developed by the company's employees.
Alexey Yashchuk, CEO of Udokanskaya Med, noted that the combine uses modern technological solutions. These include patented processing technology, predictive analytics, automated control systems, and robots. According to him, the company aims to create a benchmark for safety and efficiency in the industry.
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