“Atomredmetzoloto” JSC, Moscow, Russia:

A. A. Drachev, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, AADrachev@armz.ru
A. A. Mishkarudny, Controller in production cost management group

Improvement of uranium ore mining and processing efficiency becomes of special concern in the conditions of continuing landslide of final product prices. Priargunsky Mining and Chemical Works is persistent in the activities aimed at optimization of expenditures by constantly improving key parameters of performance, developing and introducing more efficient control methods and cost optimization toward high-quality final results. It is necessary to carry out incessant search and evaluation of cost saving reserves at all stages of product life cycle, particularly, at the production planning stage which holds the most considerable reserves for improvement in the production potential efficiency. In this connection, the authors propose a production process simulation model optimizing connection between parameters and final results of production. The use of the modeling results will help online and real-time adjust ore distribution in processing stages with respect to alteration of external conditions and quality of ore feed, as well as estimate composition of chemical agents to balance recovery loss and cost of chemicals. Increase in consumption of agents can result in reduced loss but higher cost of recovery. And, vice versa, decreased consumption of chemicals can increase uranium loss and cut-down sale proceeds. Application of the model makes it possible to account for maximum number of alternatives as early as planning stage, to select processing route, optimize production program and to calculate necessary resources towards improved financial performance of production.

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