RE: Mining season18 Oct 2021 13:49
Panderman, Newbie - What you say about the weather in the region is correct for MT and partly correct for WK. WK is in the Urals and not within the Arctic Circle so there is no permafrost. The winter temperatures do go way below freezing so, as you say, the wash plants can't be used until the spring thaw.
However, from memory - someone else (mac?) may be able to find the relevant RNS/reference - I believe that the plan is to continue mining the loose ore as much as possible through the winter and stockpile it. Running it through the washplants after the thaw.
Running the operation over winter with the electric drag line would justify the costs of installing the drag line as well as maintain EUA's ESG credentials.
All good to my mind and maybe a hint towards keeping WK as a going concern, or, window dressing EUA's capability to get a successful mine up and running to keep potential buyers, current and future, on their toes.