Norilsk Nickel reports the initiation of production at the Glubokaya section within the Skalisty mine, reaching nearly two kilometers below the surface. The move is expected to boost rich ore output significantly and accelerate the mine portfolio on the global stage.
To commence operations, the company connected two essential vertical shafts, one dedicated to ventilation and the other to the jump cage system. The milestone was achieved at a depth close to 1,943 meters, marking a pivotal step in unlocking deeper ore zones and enhancing underground logistics.
The connection of these shafts consolidated critical mine infrastructure and activated the overall ventilation system. According to the company, reaching such depths represents a historic achievement in Eurasian mining, underscoring a leap in the scale and safety of underground operations.
Mine construction teams dedicated three years to linking the shafts, progressing roughly 50 to 85 meters each month. Across each horizon, more than two kilometers of tunnel work was completed between runs, enabling more efficient access to ore bodies and safer circulation paths for personnel and equipment.
During the excavation campaign, more than 20,000 rock loads were hauled to the surface. To ensure structural integrity, 27,000 anchors and reinforced frames were installed, supporting newly developed sections of the exploration mine. Public utilities were expanded, including over 6.5 kilometers of pipelines that supply essential services to the advancing underground infrastructure. In the subsequent phase, builders will continue to extend horizons to enable ore extraction on a broader scale.
Senior Vice President and Head of the Norilsk Department, Nikolai Utkin, stated that the expected annual output of rich ore from the mine is set to grow from 2.5 million tons to 3.4 million tons by 2030, with a portion of the increase anticipated to occur in the following year. The exploration phase has laid a solid foundation for higher-grade ore to be recovered as development continues.
Utkin added that the project holds substantial potential. The plan is to lift approximately 1.8 million tons of rich ore per year from the well that commenced operations in 2027. This initiative aims to revive previously retired capacity and deliver an annual production uplift of 300,000 to 400,000 tons, reinforcing the mine’s role in meeting growing demand.
The Glubokaya mine project, part of the Skalisty complex, stands as a cornerstone investment for Norilsk Nickel. It is a strategic driver for expanding the companys mineral resource base and strengthening the long-term outlook for copper and other metals. Presently, the mine hosts an estimated 60 million tons of rich ore, around 20 million tons of copper ore, and more than 200 million tons of dispersed ore, highlighting the scale and diversity of the mineral endowment in this region.
Industry observers note that the successful deepening and modernization of the Skalisty site align with broader trends in high-grade ore extraction and safe, automated underground operations. As development continues, the company will provide updates on ore quality, recovery rates, and the integration of new processing capacities that will further enhance the efficiency and reliability of supply for customers in North America and beyond. [Source: Norilsk Nickel corporate communications]