Putin launches mining and processing plant at Yermakovskoye beryllium deposit in Buryatia via videoconference

MOSCOW. Aug 10 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has launched the mining and processing plant at the Yermakovskoye beryllium deposit in Buryatia via videoconference.

Yermakovskoye is a project of Vladislav Sviblov's Areal Group. Planned capacity of the plant is 30,000 tonnes of ore per year and 2,000 tonnes of beryllium concentrate. Since the start of development, 6.36 billion rubles have been invested in the deposit. Total investment in the project is estimated at 14.95 billion rubles.

Yermakovskoye is one of the largest beryllium deposits in Russia and worldwide, with reserves estimated at 1.4 million tonnes of ore containing 0.8% beryllium and 19% fluorite at the time of licensing in 2005.

Areal Group is one of Russia's largest goldminers, and the group additionally develops non-ferrous metal deposits, with its main production hubs located in the Khabarovsk Territory, Transbaikal, Buryatia, Chukotka, and Kamchatka.