Season results 2022

Baikal Nedra Geo LLC received the JORC report on the Kalumnoye field, and the first discovery of the field was formalised.

Additional drafts were drawn up for the projects of geological exploration, exploration of “Kalumnoye” and prospecting and appraisal works of “Malougdokitsky” to change the schedule plans. Positive expert conclusions were obtained from Rosgeolexpertiza.

The following works on optimisation of technological regimes were carried out to study the technological processing of synnyritic ore.

1. conditions of charge formation for the sintering stage were determined, which allow to achieve extraction of target components into solution not less than 80% (for Al₂0₃), not less than 86% (for K₂0) during leaching of the obtained sinter.
2. A rotary kiln was purchased for testing of charge sintering modes and obtaining the required volume of sinter for further scaling of technological processes.
3. In order to test the risks of technology scaling, a pilot process line was installed, including equipment for testing all stages of the technological process: sintering, desintering, carbonisation, evaporation of potash solutions.
4. In the period June-July 2022, work was carried out on the pilot plant to test the process solutions. The result confirmed the scalability of the process, parameters of extraction of target elements into solution and the previously adopted as a basis regime of the main technological stages.
5. Testing of the technology allowed to obtain the following samples of commercial products planned for production:

– alumina corresponding to state standard 30558-2017, grade G-00. Application – the main raw material for production of metallic aluminium;

– Potassium carbonate corresponding to state standard 10690-73 “Potassium carbonate technical”, (1st grade) and state standard 4221-76 “Potassium carbonate”, qualification “h”. Application – mineral fertilisers, precursor for production of any potash fertilisers;

– potassium sulphate, corresponding to state standard 4145-74, grade “h”. This type of fertiliser in Russia is used primarily for chlorine-sensitive crops (potatoes, flax, grapes, citrus fruits, etc.).

pictures show the operation of the plant