The Akzhal orebody was discovered in 1880, exploration at Akzhal began in 1935. Large scale mining started with the development of an open pit mine and a 600,000 tpa concentrator in 1951. The present concentrator now has a nominal capacity of 1.2Mtpa. Originally built in 1986, the plant capacity has been augmented with a heavy medium plant in 2001 and replacement grinding mills in 2005.
The extraction of ores from Akzhal mine is currently conducted by open-pit mining operations at its Central Pit. The mine also contains a second pit, referred to as the East Pit.
The Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve Statements of Nova Zinc have been produced by U.K.-based SRK Consulting, classified in accordance with the JORC Code.
Mineral Resource Statement as at 1 January 2006
Tonnage
(Mt)
Zinc (Zn)
(%)
Zn
(Kt)
Lead (Pb)
(%)
Pb
(t)
Central Pit
Indicated
10.4
4.1
420
0.5
52
Inferred
-
-
-
-
-
Sub-total
10.4
4.1
420
0.5
52
Underground Project
Indicated
-
-
-
-
-
Inferred
11.1
3.9
438
1.3
147
Sub-total
11.1
3.9
438
1.3
147
Surface Stockpits
Indicated
2.6
1.3
34
0.2
4
Inferred
-
-
-
-
-
Sub-total
2.6
1.3
34
0.2
4
All Sources
-
-
-
-
-
Indicated
13.0
3.5
454
0.4
56
Inferred
11.1
3.9
438
1.3
147
Grand Total
24.1
3.7
892
0.8
203
Ore Reserve Statement as at 1 January 2006
Tonnage
(Mt)
Zinc (Zn)
(%)
Zn
(Kt)
Lead (Pb)
(%)
Pb
(t)
Central Pit
Probable
11.0
3.7
405
0.5
50
Итого
11.0
3.7
405
0.5
50
Surface Stockpiles
Probable
2.6
1.3
34
0.2
4
Sub-total
2.6
1.3
34
0.2
4
All Sources
Probable
13.6
3.2
439
0.4
54
Grand Total
13.6
3.2
439
0.4
54
Historical operational perfomance of Akzhal Mine for 2005-2008 (tonnes)
