Operations
The main production facilities are currently concentrated mainly in Western Yakutia and the Arkhangelsk region. In total Alrosa is developing 27 fields. The Company has a diversified production base consisting of 11 primary and 16 alluvial deposits.[38] Primary deposits are developed both open-pit, alluvial operations and underground mining.[39]
On the territory of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) Alrosa has four mining and processing divisions - Mirny, Aykhal, Udachny, Nyurba. The rest of deposits are developing through subsidiaries: OJSC Alrosa-Nyurba, JSC Diamonds Anabara and JSC Severalmaz.
The reserves owned by ALROSA Group according to the standards of the State Reserves Committee totaled 1,171,951.7 thousand carats in C1+C2 categories as of January 1, 2018[40] (taking into account the explored deposits under the National Reserves Committee standards it was 1,182 million carats[41]) accounting for 95% of total Russian stocks of raw materials.[41]
Alrosa is actively engaged in the exploration of new fields. Its assets have a number of new deposits in Western Yakutia. Alrosa is also launching prospecting and exploration works in Angola and Botswana. Alrosa operates in the Republic of Angola. Mining in the Luanda Sul Province on the basis of the Catoca kimberlite pipe takes place through Sociedade Mineira de Catoca (Catoca Ltd.), the largest diamond producer in Central Africa, 32,8% shares owned by Alrosa.[42]
Mirny Mining and Processing Division (MPD)
Mirny Mining and Processing Division (MPD) was founded in 1957 and is the oldest division of ALROSA. Its share in ALROSA Group’s production totaled 18% in 2017. Mirny MPD is developing the following deposits: Mir (temporarily shut down) and International kimberlite pipes, Vodorazdelnye Galechniki, Irelyakh and Gornoye placer deposits, and Tailings of Processing Plant No. 5 (technogenic deposit). The Aykhal Mining and Processing Division (MPD)
The Aykhal Mining and Processing Division (MPD) was established in 1986 and mines diamonds at the following deposits: Jubilee and Komsomolsky open-pits, Aykhal underground mine. Its share in ALROSA Group’s production exceeded 30% in 2017.[40] Udachny Mining and Processing Division (MPD)
Udachny Mining and Processing Division (MPD) is a business unit of ALROSA located in Western Yakutia. The division develops the Udachnaya and Zarnitsa kimberlite pipes, Dellyuvialnaya and Ruchey Piropovy placer deposits. Its share in ALROSA Group’s production totaled 11% in 2016. Diamond output at the Udachny Mining and Processing Division (MPD) in 2016 amounted to 3.8 million carats.[40]
The Nyurba Mining and Processing Division (MPD)
The Nyurba Mining and Processing Division (MPD) is one of the youngest enterprises of ALROSA. It operates at the Nakyn ore field. It develops the following deposits: Nyurbinsky and Botuobinsky open-pits, and two homonymous alluvial placers. Its share in ALROSA Group's production totaled 19% in 2017.[40] Diamond output at the Nyurba Mining and Processing Division (MPD) in 2017 totaled 7.7 million carats.[40]
