Sydvaranger Gruve AS (SVG) was established to rehabilitate the mining, railroad, and manufacturing plants at a former mine site and processing plant. SVG resumed mining magnetite ore and producing magnetite concentrate at a rate of 2.2 dry metric tons per annum (Mt/a). Later, a debottlenecking initiative helped increase output to 2.8 dry Mt/a, but SVG wanted to investigate options for increasing capacity to 5.6 dry Mt/a.
Barr’s team conducted a scoping study to evaluate options for expansion, including technical aspects and considerations for maximum utilization of existing facilities and infrastructure. Among the infrastructure assessed were the beneficiation plant location and equipment, crushing facility, tailings disposal system, and rail and overland conveyor transport. The client and its investment bank found the study useful for possible expansion and future investment opportunities.