BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 26
Trend:
The Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom) is considering providing the Chukotka nuclear icebreaker for a project at the Baimskaya copper-gold deposit, being explored by Kazakhstan’s KAZ Minerals company, in Russia's Chukotka, Trend reports citing Rosatom.
The vessel will potentially be involved in ice escort of cargoes from the Baimskaya deposit.
The company noted that "Chukotka" which is being built at the Baltic Shipyard.
"At the same time, Rosatom and KAZ Minerals are actively discussing the conclusion of a contract for the provision of a comprehensive service - with an icebreaker, three bulk carriers and two port tugs,” the company said. “If KAZ Minerals decides to get a personal icebreaker, then it will be possible to organize the icebreaking and transport system so that the icebreaker could navigate the bulk carriers on ice, while they'll be able to pass on clear water themselves," the company said.
“The presence of a personal icebreaker is mandatory to ensure year-round export of products," added the company.
The Baimskaya copper project in Chukotka, Russia is one of the world’s most significant undeveloped copper assets with the potential to become a large scale, low cost, open pit copper mine.
The Baimskaya copper project is expected to commence production by the end of 2027 and have an annual ore processing capacity of 70 Mtpa. The Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) was completed and approved by the KAZ Minerals Limited Board of Directors in September 2021.