The Krasno-Oktyabrskoye Bauxite Mining Unit – KBRU of Aluminium of Kazakhstan JSC, which is owned by Eurasian Resources Group – ERG has officially introduced a project which is focused on the vertical extraction mining of bauxite in the world by way of using rotary drilling.
Notably, equipment commissioning has been completed at the open pit No. 4 of Vostochno-Ayatskoye mine. Commercial drilling began in June 2026, when officials of BAUER, the German company, gave miners a symbolic key.
The technique of vertical extraction mining of bauxite is getting used for the first time not only in Kazakhstan but also across the world.
The new technique will add to traditional open-pit mining. This technique will be used at old deposits of current open pits where deep ores of bauxite deposits cannot be discovered by traditional techniques or where it would be uneconomical to do so, as it requires the removal of a substantial amount of overburden, ERG said.
The primary equipment utilized for the project is a 133-t 580 hp – 433 kWh heavy-duty hydraulic rotary drilling rig, BAUER BG 45. The machine is equipped with a telescopic Kelly bar and bucket auger, which allow a selective vertical extraction of bauxite to levels of as much as 100 meters with no need for the use of explosives, the company said.
According to Chief Mining Engineer at Aluminium of Kazakhstan JSC, Ivan Lobanov, “The vertical mining project is an important strategic step for the Aluminium Division. The new technology helps cut costs and significantly reduces the volume of overburden removal. We can extract ore with greater precision, manage the quality of raw materials more effectively and develop sites that used to be uneconomical. We are the first in the world to apply this technology in bauxite mining.”
A further 12 Mt of bauxite is expected to be developed in the decade to come from difficult-to-access reserves. This will help to prolong the life of the mine and ensure a consistent supply of standard raw materials for Pavlodar Aluminium Plant, ERG said.
Selective mining decreases the quantity of waste rock combined with bauxite and produces superior quality raw materials for processing.
The technology does not need drilling and blasting and thus helps prevent seismic effects and minimize dust generation. The mining activities are carried out within current open pits, reducing the area of disturbed land. The decreased use of heavy machinery helps to minimize the total environmental footprint.
As per Ruslan Aslyamov, the Operations Director of the Krasno-Oktyabrskoye Bauxite Mining Unit, “The deposits developed by the Krasno-Oktyabrskoye Bauxite Mining Unit have a complex geological structure, which is why deep mining is becoming increasingly costly. Vertical extraction allows us to maintain the required production rate and use available resources more efficiently. This is an example of how modern technologies help improve mining efficiency and support the stable operation of the enterprise.”
The project is noteworthy, as BAUER BG drilling rigs were originally developed for foundation construction as well as geotechnical work. The first who adapted this equipment when it comes to commercial bauxite mining were specialists of Aluminium of Kazakhstan JSC in cooperation with German partners.
Ore is now getting mined at the VAM-4 open pit using both methods in parallel, with KBRU employees getting hands-on training from BAUER engineers in readiness for the additional implementation of the technology.