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Conference Proceedings

Underground Operators Conference Proceeding 2025

Conference Proceedings

Underground Operators Conference Proceeding 2025

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Establishing a strategic mine plan for a multi-centuries-old mine – challenges, implementations and optimisation process

The Ridder-Sokolny Mine, located in Eastern Kazakhstan, is a historic site exploiting a Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide (VMS)-type deposit. The mine features a mostly exhausted polymetallic orebody underlain by a gold-copper (Au-Cu) stockwork of discontinuous narrow-veins. Over the past decade, the mine transitioned from manual operations to full mechanisation and advanced geological modelling, producing 1.8 million tons per annum (Mt/a) across 18 geological zones using Sublevel Stoping method in narrow veins. Developing an integrated Strategic Mine Plan at Ridder-Sokolny has proven difficult due to its complex geological environment, extensive historical legacy areas, and operational constraints. This paper explores how the group addressed these challenges, focusing on the integration of short-, mid-, and long-term geological and mine planning information and working toward mine plan optimisation through scenario generation and risk rating. The scenario generation allows the mine to simulate key production factors by varying equipment allocation and cut-off grades, balancing fleet requirements and production rates. Risk rating aims to de-risk the mine plan and enhance planning compliance by prioritising production areas based on uncertainties and operational constraints. These methods aim to stabilise the mine plan, balancing production rates, development metres, and operational costs. The study reveals that production could increase to 2 Mt/a. within four years while managing geological and operational uncertainties. Strategic exploration and infrastructure development offer potential for further production increases. The investigation highlights the importance of addressing geological modelling stability and operational constraints through interdepartmental collaboration and iterative mine plan simulations.
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  • Establishing a strategic mine plan for a multi-centuries-old mine – challenges, implementations and optimisation process
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  • Published: 2025
  • Unique ID: P-04915-J8J2L5

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