SRK was commissioned to contribute to a feasibility study to international standards and in accordance with the JORC Code (2012). SRK undertook detailed design work for this polymetallic open pit mine in partnership with a Kazakh engineering company.
The work commenced with a review and sign-off of the mineral resources before a detailed geotechnical study was undertaken. The geotechnical study was completed in accordance with both local and international standards. This facilitated project permitting. The geotechnical study was supported by detailed hydrogeological investigations during which pit inflows and pumping requirements where determined by hydrogeological modelling using Modflow software.
SRK also undertook a detailed feasibility study level geochemical investigation. Mine planning based on this data required an open pit design that involved complex scheduling and ore blending to meet production requirements. SRK also developed a package of measures to control waste dump stability. Construction started in 2017 to ramp the open pit up to a full production rate of 5 Mtpa.
