Russian companies continue to explore new business niches and improve operational efficiency. Alrosa is testing titanium extraction from diamond ores, Sberbank is preparing to offer business loans denominated in palladium, and Nordgold has received approval to expand its processing plant at the Gross deposit.
Specialists from Alrosa’s Vilyuy Geological Exploration Expedition have launched experiments to extract titanium from kimberlite ore at the Udachnaya and Zarnitsa pipes. At this stage, the work is limited to technological testing. The company still needs to assess whether producing titanium concentrate as a by-product would be economically viable. If successful, supplies could be directed to Russia’s non-ferrous metallurgy sector. This would allow the diamond producer to gain an additional revenue stream without increasing mining activity.
Sberbank is expanding its precious metals lending portfolio. Deputy Chairman of the Management Board Anatoly Popov said the bank is considering the possibility of issuing loans in palladium. Sber previously started with gold-backed lending before adding silver and platinum. Palladium is expected to become the next step in the program. Such loans are in demand among companies involved in trading or using these metals in industrial operations. At the end of the first quarter, precious metals loans accounted for nearly one percent of the bank’s corporate loan portfolio. The new product is expected to help clients hedge risks and secure alternative financing options.
Russia’s Federal Service for Environmental, Technological and Nuclear Supervision (Rostekhnadzor) has approved an industrial site for a new gold recovery plant at the Gross cluster operated by Nordgold. Reconstruction work is part of a project aimed at increasing processing capacity at the mining and processing plant to 26 million tonnes of ore per year. Through its own exploration program conducted between 2020 and 2024, Nordgold added 240 tonnes of gold reserves at the cluster. Total reserves and mineable resources at the site are currently estimated at 400 tonnes of gold. The expansion of processing capacity will allow the company to utilize these reserves more efficiently.
Russia’s mining, metallurgical, and banking sectors continue adapting to new economic conditions. Alrosa is searching for hidden value within existing ore deposits, Sber is introducing unconventional financial instruments, and Nordgold is expanding production capabilities. Together, these developments illustrate how businesses are strengthening resilience and competitiveness.
Source: @nerzhavey
Image: Gold and Technology
