Sukha Balka produced 1 million tons of ore in 2024

Sukha Balka mine, part of DCH Group, produced 1.002 million tons of crude ore in 2024. This is stated in the company’s corporate newspaper.

Last year, the production of commercial products amounted to 917 thousand tons, which is 1.5% less compared to 2023. Thus, during the year, 7.68 thousand cubic meters of rock mass were processed, 4.99 thousand meters of cutting operations and 92.94 thousand meters of well drilling were performed.

The company plans to mine 930 thousand tons of raw ore and produce 850 thousand tons of commercial products in 2025. Rock mass processing is expected to reach 8 thousand cubic meters, cutting operations – 5.2 thousand meters, and well drilling – 91.77 thousand meters.

According to Igor Piltek, Deputy General Director and Chief Engineer of the mine, 2024 was a difficult year for the company.

“Due to constant attacks on the energy system, we faced a shortage of electricity. This forced us to adapt shift schedules and production processes. In addition, about 500 of our miners are now serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which affects the human resources potential,” he said.

Despite the difficulties, the company continues to implement important infrastructure projects. For example, in 2024, Yubileynaya Mine replaced the sheaves and the main bearing of the shearer. A total of UAH 43 million was allocated for the equipment renewal.

“This year, we are renovating the mine cage, replacing the skip ropes and plan to carry out a number of other repairs,” added the chief engineer.

The energy efficiency project deserves special attention. At the end of 2024, the construction of a 2 MW solar power plant began at Frunze mine. The plant is expected to start operating in the second quarter of 2025 and provide the company with its own electricity.

“We hope that 2025 will be a year of recovery for both our company and the entire country. After the war is over and our defenders return, we will be able to reasonably plan to increase production volumes,” summarized Igor Piltek.

In 2023, Sukha Balka produced almost 931 thousand tons of commercial iron ore. In 2023, the mine operated in the mode of maximum resource conservation. The resumption of ore mining at Frunze mine, which was suspended in November 2022 due to constant shelling of energy infrastructure, allowed the company to finish the year with an ore output of almost 1 million tonnes.

Sukha Balka mine specializes in underground iron ore mining and has an annual capacity of about 3.1 million tons, and includes Yubileynaya and Frunze mines.