Polymetal JSC has launched the second phase of its Amur Hydrometallurgical Plant (AGMK-2), increasing the nameplate capacity from the current 12-15 tonnes of gold (423,000 - 529,000 ounces) per year to 25-30 tonnes (882,000 - 1 million ounces).
"The new autoclave production has no analogues in the world and has become the first in Russia for processing double-refractory gold-bearing ores," the company’s press service reported.
"The launch of AGMK-2 will allow the company to process gold-bearing concentrates regardless of their chemical composition, which strengthens technological sovereignty, eliminating the dependence of the domestic gold mining industry on the export of semi-finished products."
AGMK-2 will process gold concentrate from the Nezhdaninskoye (Yakutia), Mayskoye (Chukotka Autonomous District), Veduga (Krasnoyarsk Territory) and several other deposits. It is reported that the share of refractory and double-refractory ores takes up more than 60% of the company's reserves.
AGMK-2 created more than 600 new jobs, and as a result, the number of employees increased to 1,100. Investments in the project amounted to more than 60 billion rubles.
In 2024, Polymetal's enterprises increased production by 9.4% to 1.3 million ounces (41.8 tonnes) of gold equivalent.
Theodor Lisovoy, Managing Editor, Rough&Polished
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