Ertis Hydrometallurgical Plant (EGMK), part of one of Kazakhstan's largest gold miners Solidcore Resources plc, will build a double-circuit high-voltage power transmission line to the future metallurgical plant in Pavlodar. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

"The planned activity involves the construction of a double-circuit 110 kV overhead line from the 220/110 kV Atameken substation to the 110 kV EGMK substation, with a length of 30,017.01 meters including single-circuit sections and cable entries," according to EGMK's statement on planned activities.

The new line will be connected to an existing 110 kV overhead line. The transmitted power will be 40 MW, voltage 110 kV. The line will start from the existing Atameken substation (formerly Pavlodarskaya), but not as an overhead line, but via a cable line.

Construction will begin in the first quarter of 2027, taking 4.5 months, with commissioning scheduled for the third quarter of 2027. The line will operate for the entire life of the plant (at least 25 years, according to the document). A land plot of 269.2 hectares has been allocated for the power line construction.

In early July, Solidcore Resources plc agreed to attract $600 million in loans for the construction of the Ertis Hydrometallurgical Plant (EGMK, formerly Irtysh HMP), including $300 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and $300 million from a syndicate of commercial banks.

The financing is provided to Solidcore and EGMK as co-borrowers and includes two credit lines:

  • 01$300 million from EBRD
  • 02$300 million from a syndicate of commercial banks

The grace period on the loans is 36 months. Repayment of principal will begin after construction completion in 2029.

Earlier, Solidcore signed a preliminary agreement with KfW IPEX-Bank for a credit line of up to $100 million for seven years. The parties are currently working on credit documentation and obtaining necessary internal approvals.

EGMK is Kazakhstan's first large-scale full-cycle autoclave oxidation complex for processing refractory gold-bearing concentrates.

The project is being implemented in the Pavlodar special economic zone. It aims to transform gold processing in Central Asia and strengthen Kazakhstan's position as a regional leader in advanced metallurgical technologies by unlocking the potential of refractory gold concentrates requiring complex technological solutions.

Once operational, the plant will be able to process up to 300,000 tonnes of gold-bearing concentrate per year and produce up to 500,000 ounces of gold in Doré alloy (containing at least 70% gold and silver) annually from concentrates of the Kazakh Kyzyl deposit and third-party raw materials.

Capital expenditure for the project is estimated at approximately $1 billion and will be financed through Solidcore's operating cash flow and debt financing. The project is expected to create about 500 permanent jobs and about 1,000 jobs during construction.

Currently, the autoclave has been delivered to the site and installed on the foundation. The main permit – a positive conclusion from the state expert review of the design documentation for EGMK construction and infrastructure facilities – has been obtained. Shipment of main process equipment to the construction site has begun. Large-scale works are underway at the project site with the participation of over a thousand workers.

Solidcore Resources is a major gold producer in Kazakhstan, registered in the AIFC, with shares traded on the AIX exchange. Solidcore's portfolio includes two operating enterprises and a major development project in Kazakhstan.