Company

Udokan Cooper Deposit Mining and Metallurgical Plant Project Phases Infrastructure History Metal of the Future

Awards and achievements

About Udokan

Company

Udokan Copper (earlier known as Baikal Mining Company) was established in 2008 to develop the Udokan Copper Deposit in Kalar District of the Trans-Baikal Region (Russia).

With more than 26 million tonnes of mineral resources, Udokan is Russia’s largest and one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper deposits. The project includes a mine and processing plant that will produce copper cathodes and sulfide concentrate. The first stage of the plant will deliver up to 135 thousand tonnes of copper per year.

Committed to care for the environment and responsible use of natural resources, we implement the best available technologies to minimize our environmental footprint. Udokan Copper will process ores using our own patented flotation and hydrometallurgical technological scheme.

Udokan is a pioneer greenfield project in the industry. Starting from the construction phase, we follow global best practices in ESG, work on reducing our carbon footprint, develop regional infrastructure, protect the environment and support local indigenous peoples' traditions.

The Largest Investor

in Trans-Baikal Region

2.8 billion USD

Investments in Stage 1 of the project

10%

Share of Udokan Copper in the Gross Regional Product of Trans-Baikal Region

3000

Jobs upon Stage 1 launch

750 billion RUB

Aggregated tax contribution

Udokan Cooper Deposit

Russia’s Largest
Copper Deposit

Udokan Copper deposit is located in Kalar District of the Trans-Baikal Region, 30 km from the Novaya Chara station of Baikal-Amur Mainline.

26.7 million tonnes of copper

JORC mineral resources

1.05%

JORC copper grade

70 years

Life of mine

32.8 thous. tonnes of silver

JORC mineral resources

Mining and Metallurgical Plant

Udokan Mining and Metallurgical Plant will produce copper cathodes and sulfide concentrate.

The first stage of the plant will deliver up to 135 thousand tonnes of copper per year. Udokan ores will be processed using a unique flotation and hydrometallurgy scheme.

Unique technology

12 million tonnes of copper

Stage 1 plant capacity

135 thousand tonnes

Stage 1 copper products per year

99.9 %

Copper in cathodes

45 %

Copper in concentrate

We are now Udokan Copper

Project Phases

2008-2016 2017-2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

Exploration and JORC mineral resource update
International feasibility study
Development and evaluation of the technology process
Approval of copper, associated components and other mineral reserves

2008-2016

Udokan Mining and Metallurgical Plant design
Procurement of groundwater exploration and extraction permit for Ingamakitskoe Deposit
Public discussions of the assets subject to state environmental examination
Approval issued upon the state examination of the project

2017-2018

Start of power infrastructure construction (substation and transmission lines)
Start of road infrastructure construction (Novaya Chara - Udokan Mine and Processing Plant Road and Nuringnakan River Bridge)
Start of processing facility construction (groundwork and foundation)
Equipment agreement signed with Outotec
$1.79 billion syndicated loan extended
General contractor agreement signed with Renaissance Heavy Industries
Project included in Zabaikalye Territory of Accelerated Development

2019

5 photos

Core equipment delivery
Processing plant construction (installation of steel structures and equipment)
Completion of access road and Nuringnakan River Bridge
Construction of residential camp, development headquarters, Boiler 1 and other facilities
Completion of processing plant facilities
Completion of power infrastructure

2020

Start of rail warehouse construction
Completion of concrete work
Completion of core equipment installation

2021

Civil works
Capital mining operations
Main equipment installation

2022

Completion of civil works
Completion of capital mining operations
Completion of main equipment installation

2023

Preparations for commissioning of the hydrometallurgical plant
Design of the second stage of Udokan MMC

2024

Infrastructure

Rail

Udokan Copper completes constructing the railroad warehouse with rail loading terminals. The railroad warehouse will process cargo from the plant and will provide sufficient capacity for Stage 2 of the project as well.

Road

Udokan Copper completed a major infrastructure project, connecting railroad warehouse with the Udokan Mining and Metallurgical Plant.

The new 17-kilometer road is 6 meters wide to support the transportation of 700 thousand tonnes of cargo per year.

It will be the key logistics asset supporting deliveries to Udokan MMP as well as transportation of its products to the key regional transportation artery, Baikal-Amur Mainline.

Air

The airport at the settlement of Chara is a gateway to the north of the Trans-Baikal Region.

Udokan Copper created an airport redesign project that includes the construction of a new 80 passenger-per-hour terminal with a medical office, maternity room and a food court. Runway and taxiways will be reconstructed and the territory - landscaped. Airfield will be lit to support 24x7 operation.

Project documentation was submitted to the Trans-Baikal Region authorities, and the reconstruction started in 2022.

Power

A sufficient amount of electric power is required to build and operate the MMP. The existing 220 kV Chara substation fully covers project construction needs.

A new overhead power line “Tynda – Lopcha – Khani – Chara” as well as a section of overhead power line from Chara substations to MMP site were built in 2022 in order to meet the needs in power supply for the plant.

History

1947 1949 1952-1966 1975-2000 2008

1947

Corresponding Member of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR Yuri Bilibin demonstrated the rationale for exploration in the area from the source of the Vitim river to the middle course of the Olyokma river, suggesting the similarity of the geological structure of this area with Central African Copperbelt.

1949

Lead Geologist of Sosnov Expedition Elizaveta Burova discovered the unique Udokan copper deposit on a trail along an unnamed stream, a left tributary to the Naminga river.

1952-1966

Udokan Exploration Team was established in 1952. Reconnaissance of the Udokan copper deposit was completed in 1953—1958. In 1960, a government resolution on the accelerated exploration of the Udokan deposit was issued with the objective to complete the first stage of exploration by 1964. When the exploration was completed, further work at the Udokan deposit was suspended in 1965 and shut down in 1966. The photograph shows the members of Udokan Exploration Team.

1975-2000

The new life of Udokan deposit started with the beginning of construction of Baikal-Amur Mainline in 1975. Over the next five years, detailed exploration was conducted within the pit contour (70% of the overall copper ore reserves), bulk samples were tested, and ore reserves were recalculated. Mine and processing facility with a copper-chemical plant have been slated for construction since 1970s. Udokan MMP project designs were prepared in 1969, 1972, 1980, 1995 and 2000. Moscow State Expertise classified these projects as not feasible. The photo shows Zapadny section of the deposit, 1976.

2008

Mikhailovsky Mining and Processing Plant won the mining license for Udokan deposit in an open tender. Baikal Mining Company (BGK) was established to develop the deposit. Since 2008, Baikal Mining Company, today known as Udokan Copper, has been holding the mining permit for copper and associated components based on license CIT 14956 TE issued by the Russian Federal Agency for Mineral Resources. The photograph shows CEO of Mikhailovsky MPP Andrey Varichev in a meeting with the Head of Kalar District.

Metal of the Future

Copper is an indispensable metal that fueled revolutionary progress in the history of the humankind. Copper Age, the period of early metalworking in Eurasia, gave birth to metallurgy.

Due to its high electrical and thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance and strength, copper is in high demand, especially in high-tech industries. Today, scientists call the modern stage of the industry development the New Copper Age.

Uses of Copper

Telecommunications

Copper has always been and remains the driver of revolutionary changes in telecommunications, from phones to high-speed computer links, satellite technologies and wireless communications.

Engineering Infrastructure

Copper is indispensable in construction; it is the most important metal used in production of wires, water and heating pipes and construction materials. Copper has the highest electrical and thermal conductivity out of all metals, and it is widely used in the energy industry.

Low-Carbon and Green Technologies

Copper is more important for the renewable energy than it is for traditional power plants. Copper usage intensity in renewable energy is four to six times higher than in nuclear and coal power stations. Wind and solar photovoltaic energy systems use the most copper among all renewable energy technologies.

Electric Vehicles

Passenger electric vehicle manufacturers will require more than 3.7 million tonnes of copper per year by 2040.

Copper in Healthcare

Copper is an important biological element necessary for normal development of plants and animals. It accelerates chemical processes within cells. Copper is also a natural antibacterial agent. In 2008, antimicrobial properties of copper surfaces were officially recognized by the United States, and in 2009, the effectiveness of copper and its alloys was proven at inactivating the A/H1N1 influenza virus.