Our R&D engineers resort to the use of cutting-edge equipment and advanced software (such as 3D computer modeling techniques) to increase the efficiency of our research processes and to attain live feedback during the design and construction stages. This enables us to constantly monitor our projects and make necessary adjustments at any investment phase.
As a department, we have brought 15 plants into operation across different regions of the Russian Federation and the CIS. If we were to exclude the reconstruction of the Dukat and Kubaka plants, as well as the acquisition of the Varvarinskoye Hub and Kapan deposit, all of our developed projects are considered green-field. What is more, our ore processing technologies and 3D geological models of ore bodies have been recognized and accredited by various international bodies as one of the most well-organized.
In 2014, on the back of our acquisition of the Kyzyl project, a branch of Polymetal Engineering was established in Kazakhstan in order to comply with all of the country’s regulatory requirements. The Kazakhstan branch is currently developing all the necessary project design documentation.
All of our mine designs are developed using the latest Datamine Software, in addition to which, we have created our own information content within DATAMINE to support the application of geological data to our feasibility studies. In effect, we are able to forecast geological conditions, calculate reserves and establish design capacities for many of our mining operations. All of our computer models are kept up-to-date as it helps to carry out short-term planning of mining operations. Specifically, it helps us mitigate our operations in accordance with economic parameters.
Computer modeling stages for our deposits:
- Geological modeling of ore bodies using cutting-edge techniques including geostatistical ones;
- Geomechanic ore and surrounding rock models;
- Optimized model of diluted ore with the account of technological and economic constraints of open pit, underground, or combined mining;
- 3D mining schedule
- Financial model
- Other modeling depending on the project design stage
34 of Polymetal’s key professionals in mineral resources and ore reserve assessments have been granted membership in London’s Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining, and were accredited by JORC as Competent Persons (13 of them work in Polymetal Engineering). Polymetal Engineering has issued a public Competent Person Reports on Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves that align to CRIRSCO reporting (JORC) for third parties.
Starting from 2010, our engineering designs of auxiliary infrastructure facilities were transferred to an AVEVA PDMS (plant design management system), which emphasizes the use of innovative GRAPHICS FROM DATA technology. Many of our engineers have been working together online to make a single 3D data model to visualize results, perform multi-variant analysis and have immediate access to the process and other related information. With all of these aspects, we can determine any discrepancies and automatically fix any issues to avoid their publication in the design documents. Starting from the second half of 2011, many of our employees in Polymetal’s main office and on-site had on-line Internet access to the digital 3D model via the Aveva Engineering Internet Portal. We believe that this software is a huge break-through in regards to communication between Polymetal Engineering and our countrywide operations. By implementing this technology into our daily use, we can review, discuss and approve design solutions, regardless of the location.
Furthermore, another development in 2012 solved the problem of integrating our design data, and transferring it into the 1C system. We consider this a huge step towards the management of our design process, supply, construction and operation.
We plan to connect project design and data storage systems with the documentation workflow.