The mining division of ROSATOM – Atomredmetzoloto JSC (ARMZ JSC) and RAOS JSC (ROSATOM’s organization acting as the sectoral integrator for small nuclear power plants (SNPPs)) are developing cooperation on the small nuclear power plant project based on the advanced reactor technology Shelf-M. The SNPP will provide environmentally friendly and stable power generation for Sovinoye gold deposit in the Chukotka Region located on the north-eastern tip of Eurasia. ELKON MMP JSC (a subsidiary of ARMZ JSC) holds the license to survey, explore and mine the deposit. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 8th Eastern Economic Forum.
The document was signed by Evgeny Pakermanov, President of RAOS JSC, and Vladimir Verkhovtsev, Director General of Atomredmetzoloto JSC.
The agreement defines intentions and the procedure for managing the interaction between the parties in implementation of SNPP projects on the basis of Shelf-M technology with the power of up to 10 MW, which is considered to be an efficient solution to satisfy the need for power supply of Sovinoye deposit as well as the adjacent promising ore fields and the residential settlement of Leningradsky.
“We are looking for efficient and environmentally friendly power supply for the needs of the Sovinoye gold deposit we have been seizing to develop. The SNPP project ideally suits these criteria. I am sure that our cooperation will contribute to unlocking the economic and investment potential of Chukotka region and the entire Far East of Russia”, said Vladimir Verkhovtsev, Director General of Atomredmetzoloto JSC.
“We are very happy to join efforts with the mining division of ROSATOM to implement the advanced nuclear generation projects that open up new opportunities for the socio-economic development of the Chukotka remote areas rich in natural resources. Together with our partners we intend to develop optimal configuration of the head SNNP project with Shelf-M reactor and its external infrastructure, carry out the necessary engineering and survey work at potential construction sites, and consider the possibility of securing state support for the project”, said Evgeniy Pakermanov, President of RAOS JSC.
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ROSATOM and the Government of Chukotka Autonomous District signed the cooperation agreement for the small nuclear power plant (SNPP) project based on Shelf-M reactor technology in June, 2023 at the venue of St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
Development of SNPPs based on Shelf-M reactor plant is a part of the Russian federal project “New Nuclear Power Engineering Including Small Reactors for Remote Territories” within the Integrated Program “Development of Equipment, Technologies and Scientific Research in the Area of Atomic Energy Use in the Russian Federation”. NIKIET JSC is the developer of Shelf-M reactor technology and Project General Designer while RAOS JSC is responsible for management of the program for implementation of the pilot Shelf-M SNPP. The service life of the plant is 60 years, and the reactor is operated for approximately eight years without refueling. The reactor thermal output is 35 MW enabling to generate up to 10 MW of electric power. It is planned to complete the basic design of the reactor facility and the main process equipment in 2024. The SNPP based on Shelf-M reactor is planned to be commissioned for commercial operation in 2030.
Sovinoye deposit is situated on the coast of the Chukchi Sea within the territory of Iultin District and is included into the Chaun-Bilibino industrial area. Sovinoye deposit discovered in 1970s is a center of the gold-bearing zone where more than 30 fields of alluvial and vein gold have been found. Subsequent to the auction results in spring of 2020 the license for geological survey, exploration and gold mining at Sovinoye deposit was bought by ELKON MMP JSC included into the management circuit of Atomredmetzoloto JSC, the mining division of ROSATOM.
ROSATOM use low-carbon technologies to generate electric power and consistently take steps towards transition to green economy. Reduction of negative impact on the nature, preservation and replenishment of biological resources are top priorities of the Russian nuclear industry in terms of environmental protection. The nuclear industry is developing the technologies providing for ecologically friendly power, and hundreds of millions of rubles are annually allocated for environmental protection activities.
