Media

Seligdar Holding Group (hereafter referred as the Company or the Holding Group) completed a number of equipment modernisation works at the preliminary ore thermal treatment facility of the Samolazovskiy production complex. The upgrades are aimed at increasing plant throughput by reducing maintenance-related downtime and enhancing process control parameters.

Previously, the plant’s specialists faced frequent conveyor belt failures caused by high-temperature ore coming from the recuperator, leading to unplanned shutdowns. Seligdar’s specialists replaced the conveyor used for transporting calcined ore with a steel bucket conveyor installed at the discharge point. Test operation has shown positive results, while the new design also simplifies maintenance procedures. The total cost of the upgrade amounted to approximately 10 million Russian roubles.

In addition, Seligdar has commissioned a thermal imaging monitoring system for the kiln flame and a non-contact clinker temperature control system. The new system ensures more precise control of the gas–air mixture supplied to the kiln burner, optimising the roasting process. This will reduce gas consumption and significantly improve the ore calcination efficiency. Previously, the thermal treatment process relied solely on temperature sensors located on the kiln surface.

In 2025, the average kiln capacity reached 15.1 tonnes per hour. Ongoing modernisation initiatives continue to improve kiln efficiency by 8–10% annually.

In September, the Samolazovskiy complex also commissioned a new administrative building and completed a major overhaul of the heap leaching plant facilities. By the end of the year, construction of two dormitories accommodating over 110 employees is scheduled for completion.

Seligdar put into operation the Samolazovskiy kiln in 2020 to process refractory ores and increase gold recovery rates. In 2021, the Holding Group received the top award at the MINEX Mining Forum for this development. Alongside refractory ore, the complex also processes oxidised ores that do not require roasting. In 2024, the Samolazovskiy complex produced 714 kilograms of gold, representing 10% of the Holding Group’s total output. Total investment in the production complex amounted to 1.2 billion Russian roubles, including 700 million Russian roubles dedicated to development projects.