Fedor Kravchenko said the mine launched unique steeply inclined conveyor KNK-270 and grinding-loading complex, which was developed by Howard Traiding Inc in cooperation with NGMK.

He said the conveyor is largest in the world on height of transportation and productivity. Introduction of the complex will allow to continue to develop field on open method to the depth of 1,000 meters.

The complex includes steeply inclined conveyor, grinding-loading point, loading-storing complex and others. KNK-270 will save transportation expenses and increase efficiently of quarry trucks, as well as creates additional 130 jobs.

Kravchenko said testing of complex showed its efficiency and currently balancing and commissioning works are underway now. Novokramatorsk Machinery Plant prepared spare parts and components for the complex. He added that it is planned to use complex under load in February.

Muruntua chief said that the productivity of KNK-270 is 1 million tonnes of ore a year and hill climbing ability – 37%. He added that hill climbing ability does not exceed 15% in any enterprises in the CIS, which possesses such equipment.

Fedor Kravchenko underlined that another peculiarity of the complex is that the ores will be loaded to boxcar immediately after unloading dump-body trucks to crusher.

Use of the complex will allow to increase depth of mine up to 1,000 meters and increase efficiency of dump trucks by 30% due to decreasing of transportation distance and height of cargo shipment.

This will also decrease annual run of trucks by 30.4%, number of trucks, drivers and mechanics by 27.2%, fuel and lubricant expenses by 37%. It is expected that the project will save about 2.44 billion soums.

Kravchenko added that due to increase of mining works, NGMK introduced three highly effective excavators – two Japanese Hitachi with the bucket capacity of 19.4 cubic meters and EKG-15M of Russia with the bucket capacity of 15 cubic meters.

Muruntau mine is producer of phosphorite goods producer. Tashkura mine, which is part of Muruntua, fully satisfies Uzbekistan in phosphorite goods.

Development of Muruntau mine, which is one of the largest gold ore fields, started in 1967. The mine is combine is increasing ore processing and gold production. In line with programme on development of gold industry up to 2012, the combine plans to increase gold by 20%.