Voskhod Chromite Kazakhstan

Location
16km away from Khromtau

Nearest Town
Khromtau

Client
Voskhod-Oriel LLP

Commodity
Ore

Contract Duration
2006 - 2014

Scope
Mechanised Lateral Development and Production Activities, Shaft Sinking, Fleet Maintenance and Workforce Training

Voskhod is 16km from Khromtau, a small mining town approximately 90km from the administrative centre of Aktobe in western Kazakhstan. Operating as an independent deposit, the mine had approximately 20 million tonnes of high-grade ore reserves.

Central Asia Mining LLP (CAM) was established in 2006 as a Kazakhstan–Australian Joint Venture. Founders of Central Asia Mining are Vostokshakhtostroy JSC (Kazakhstan) and Byrnecut, which is 100% owned by Byrnecut.

Voskhod was the first fully mechanised underground mine to utilise modern mining technology in Kazakhstan, which commenced with lateral development activities, progressing to production activities. Two shafts were also completed to provide fresh and return airway systems.

Byrnecut’s scope of works included portal construction, decline, vertical and lateral development and rehabilitation, production drilling, blasting, and haulage, together with fleet maintenance management.

Using sub-level caving stoping methods, the project aimed to extract 750,000 tonnes of ore per year.

All milestones were reached despite extremes in weather, and cultural and locality challenges. Expatriates and local personnel worked in harmony throughout the contract, overcoming language and cultural barriers.

In the final years, Byrnecut’s commitment to safety and training was demonstrated with the successful transition to a fully nationalised underground workforce, with expatriates employed only to cover mining, electrical, maintenance and OHS management.