Kola Mining and Metallurgical Company JSC, Monchegorsk, Russia:

K. V. Nesterov, Deputy General Director for Mining, Concentration and Smelting Operations
M. V. Kuzenkov, Head of Mining Department, Mining Administration, e-mail: kuzenkovmv@kolagmk.ru

This paper gives a brief historical overview of the copper-nickel deposits of the Kola Peninsula, which serve as a mineral resource base for Kola MMC JSC, a subsidiary of Norilsk Nickel PJSC. The overview covers a period from the 1930s to the present day. It describes a difficult period of transition from open-pit mining to underground operations when developing the Zhdanov deposit while maintaining the same output of ore and metals. The paper outlines the main development systems that are in use at the Severny mine while describing the characteristics of the most popular system — i.e. sublevel caving. The paper describes the most state-of-the-art and efficient equipment (both stationary and mobile) operated by the Severny mine while drawing a comparison with the first underground mines of Kaula-Kotselvaara and Vostok, which were established to develop the Pechenga deposits. The paper details the sequence of opening the Zhdanov, Tundra and Bystrinsk deposits: every development phase would open up a new haulage level entailing new permanent mining workings. The current projection of the deposits will last until 2048 to a mine level of –730 m. The plan is to build and commission an underground mine at the Southern site as substitution for the oldest mine of Kaula-Kotselvaara. Efforts are being taken to improve the operational efficiency and recovery and to increase the content of metals in the mined ore.

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