OREANDA-NEWS. At the end of 2015, the Russia's largest uranium mining company - Priargunsky Industrial Mining and Chemical Union (PIMCU PJSC, a part of the control loop of ARMZ Uranium Holding Co./Atomredmetzoloto JSC) – forecasts an increase in key performance indicators as against 2014. 

Preliminary annual results were summarized by the General Director of PIMCU Sergei Shurigin at the traditional Awareness Day, held at Dauria Palace of Culture in Krasnokamensk. The most important result is the reduction of the cost of the finished product (U3O8) by 11%. 

The company plans to produce 1977 tons of natural uranium concentrate (up 7 tons compared to 2014) and produce 3,053 million tons of coal (up 90 thousand tons compared to 2014). 

"First of all, the increase in output and reduction of costs is due to implementation of a number of measures to improve efficiency. We have improved extraction by changing ore recrushing scheme and by launching a new unit at Hydrometallurgical Plant, optimized mining and stowing operations at Mine No.8. Within the framework of Rosatom Production System, we have implemented employees’ proposals for technical improvement, thereby reducing the cost of repairs of machinery and equipment by 101 million rubles, among other things. By changing sprinkling system we have reduced the cost of sulfuric acid. Reduced transportation distance at Urtuyskoe Mining Directorate helped save tens of million rubles. Implementation of the new reserves penetration scheme and reprocessing of substandard ore from waste dump through heap leaching made a significant contribution to economic performance of the plant."- specifically noted Sergei Shurigin.

According to the General Director of PIMCU, by mid-2016, the company will reach its break-even level and even make minimum profit, significantly improving its financial performance. In 2016 we will be able to evaluate the full economic impact of the comprehensive modernization of the plant carried out in the past year. 

PIMCU’s plans for 2016 include the start of construction of Mine No.6, which will become a major industrial project and will allow to put into operation Argunskoye and Zherlovoye deposits of Streltsovskoye ore field. They represent 35% of the total reserves of the largest uranium mining company in Russia, to be developed for several decades. The average uranium content of the deposits is higher than at the existing mines, which will guarantee a competitive cost of production. 

Also in 2016 it is planned to complete tunneling of 7-d horizon at Mine No.8 and complete reconstruction of Sredneye tailings dump. 

The decision to raise wages by 7% from January 1, 2016 was a New Year’s gift for employees of PIMCU.