Southern Urals

Quick facts

Project

The prospect area Novopetrovskaya is located in Khaybullinsky district of the Republic of Bashkortostan. In August 2020, Polymetal acquired 75% interest in the project and holds an option to earn a further 25% stake excercisable within 7 years following the Russian statutory reserve estimate (GKZ). Polymetal provides exploration funding via shareholder loans. 100 km of drilling is planned to be completed resulting in JORC-compliant Mineral Resource estimate in 2023.

In April 2021 Polymetal acquired 75% interest in the project at Sagitovskaya license area on similar terms.

Geology

Exploration is aimed at discovering a copper-zinc-pyrite deposit. The prospected area is located in an established region, in close proximity of Yubileyny and Vishnevsky VMS deposits.

Progress

Rosgeo carried out exploration work on the Novopetrovskaya area in 2014-2017. As a result, intercepts of copper-zinc pyrite ores were identified, indicating the potential discovery of significant deposits with high copper and zinc content. The mineralisation is expected to be located at a depth of 400–500 m suitable for underground mining.

In 2020, the JV carried out permitting and exploration planning activities.

• In 2021, 71 drill holes with a total length of 40 km were completed. Subhorizontal ore body was studied at the depth of 350-450 m, the exploration grid and initial JORC-compliant Mineral Resource estimate were completed. Mineral Resources amounted to 2.4 Moz of GE at an average grade of 8.0 g/t.
• In 2022, 12 km of drilling is planned. Updated Mineral Resource estimate and initial Ore Reserve estimate are expected in 2023.