The Krasno-Oktyabrskoye Bauxite Mining Unit (KBRU) of Aluminium of Kazakhstan, owned by Eurasian Resources Group (ERG), a leading global metals and mining company, has officially launched a project focused on the vertical extraction of bauxite using rotary drilling.

ERG confirms equipment has been commissioned at openpit No. 4 of the Vostochno-Ayatskoye mine.

The vertical bauxite mining technique is being used for the first time not only in Kazakhstan but also worldwide.

The new technique will complement conventional openpit mining. It will be used at previously mined areas of existing openpits where deep-seated bauxite reserves cannot be developed using conventional methods or where doing so would be uneconomical because this would require removing a large volume of overburden.

The main item of equipment used for the project is a 133-t 580 hp BAUER BG 45 heavy-duty hydraulic rotary drilling rig. Fitted with a telescopic Kelly bar and a bucket auger, the machine can selectively extract bauxite vertically from depths of up to 100 m without the use of explosives.

“The vertical mining project is an important strategic step for the Aluminium Division. The new technology helps cut costs and significantly reduces the volume of overburden removal. We can extract ore with greater precision, manage the quality of raw materials more effectively, and develop sites that used to be uneconomical. We are the first in the world to apply this technology in bauxite mining,” says Aluminium of Kazakhstan chief mining engineer Ivan Lobanov.

The key advantages of the technology include the development of hard-to-reach reserves, which can provide an additional 12-million tonnes of bauxite over the next decade. This will help extend the life-of-mine and secure a steady supply of raw materials for the Pavlodar Aluminium Plant.

Additionally, selective mining reduces the amount of waste rock mixed with bauxite, resulting in higher-quality raw materials for processing, as well as a reduced environmental impact.

Because the technology does not require drilling and blasting, this helps avoid seismic impact and reduces dust generation. As mining operations take place within existing openpits, this reduces the area of disturbed land, while the reduced use of heavy machinery further helps minimise the overall environmental footprint.

“The deposits developed by KBRU have a complex geological structure, which is why deep mining is becoming increasingly costly. Vertical extraction allows us to maintain the required production rate and use available resources more efficiently. This is an example of how modern technologies help improve mining efficiency and support the stable operation of the enterprise,” explains KBRU operations director Ruslan Aslyamov.

The project is notable because BAUER BG drilling rigs were originally designed for the construction of foundations and geotechnical work. Specialists from Aluminium of Kazakhstan, in collaboration with German partners, have been the first to adapt this equipment for commercial bauxite mining.

Ore is currently being mined at the VAM-4 openpit with both methods used in parallel, and KBRU employees are receiving hands-on training from BAUER engineers in preparation for the further roll-out of the technology.