In 2017, SRK was requested by JSC Tin One Mining to undertake a Feasibility Study to a bankable level on the Syrymbet tin deposit in northern Kazakhstan. The project is one of the largest undeveloped tin deposits in the world.
For the Feasibility Study, SRK undertook detailed review and ‘sign off’ of geology, mining, geotechnical, tailings facility and processing technical studies prepared by external consultants. SRK reviewed the work at stages and produced a single report that included adjustments and recommendations from SRK. At the same time as reviewing the work of 3rd parties, SRK technically authored other significant parts of the Feasibility Study including hydrogeology, infrastructure, geochemistry, the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and a detailed financial analysis. The hydrogeology work was particularly challenging with a very high water table that involved packer and pump testing in order to calibrate a 3D model in MODFLOW software. The results of the hydrogeological model were fed into the geotechnical assessment as a 3D pressure grid. This allowed slope stability to be predicted in an accurate manner.
Based on the results of the Feasibility Study, SRK has provided recommendations and comments on all aspects of the Feasibility Study and presented results of the technical economical model.
