First stage of Russian Platinum's Chernogorsky GOK planned for commissioning in Krasnoyarsk Territory in 2026 - local authorities

KRASNOYARSK. Oct 13 (Interfax) - Commissioning the first stage of Chernogorsky Mining and Processing Plant (GOK) at the Chernogorskoye deposit in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, licensed to Russian Platinum structures, is planned for 2026, the regional government's press service said.

"Preparation of the open pit mine is underway at the mining cluster site, and construction of the processing plant and key infrastructure, namely a main gas pipeline, water supply system, and thermal power plant, is nearing completion. The strategic project is of the utmost importance to develop the mineral resource complex not only in the region, but also throughout the country. A new, powerful center to extract critical metals will be created," Krasnoyarsk Industry and Trade Minister Maxim Yermakov said in the statement.

As reported, Chernogorsky GOK LLC, a subsidiary of RP-Mining owned by Musa and Deni Bazhaev, is developing the Chernogorskoye deposit. In February 2024, VTB and VEB.RF signed a syndicated loan agreement for up to 180 billion rubles to construct the first stage of Chernogorsky GOK. The total budget for the project is approximately 240 billion rubles.

Chernogorsky GOK was initially scheduled to begin operation in 2024, though was later pushed back to 2025 owing to difficulties importing equipment.

The company explained that the project would be the first stage in creating the second-largest palladium and platinum producer in Russia. The second stage involves constructing a processing complex at the Norilsk-1 deposit, the license for the southern part of which belongs to Russian Platinum, while the northern part is being developed by Norilsk Nickel .

Russian Platinum obtained a license for the Chernogorskoye deposit in 2011. Financing for the project had already been agreed upon with Gazprombank , VEB, and VTB, though funds were not allocated for various reasons, and development has not yet begun.

The Chernogorskoye deposit's accepted reserves total 131 million tonnes of ore containing palladium, platinum, rhodium, and gold. The design production capacity of the first stage of Chernogorsky GOK is 7 million tonnes of ore per year, and its final product is copper and nickel concentrate with high palladium and platinum content.