Alrosa Opens "Low-Margin" Mine as Market Recovers
June 27, 21
(IDEX Online) - Alrosa has resumed production at its Zarya pipe, in Yakutia, eastern Russia, as the diamond market recovers.
The mine, responsible for just 0.9 per cent of the group's total output, was put on care in maintenance in May 2020. Alrosa said Zarya was among its lower margin mines due to the quality characteristics of its stones.
The 300-meter deep open pit, developed at a cost of $187m, went live in April 2019, since when it's been closed for as long as it's been open.
The 180 miners were partially laid-off, transferred elsewhere, or tasked with duties on the closed pipes.
Alrosa says the first ore has been dispatched. It expects to produce over 1.2m tonnes by the end of 2021.
Zarya pipe produced 38,000 carats, in 2019 and 257,000 carats in 2020.
Pic courtesy Alrosa