Given the difficult economic situation, the regional authorities are unable to implement infrastructure projects in full. In this case, the Canadian side proposed to take costs on itself, if the republic creates the most favorable conditions on site. Another option could be to include JSC "Forecast" in the list of four priority investment projects that Yakutia offers at the federal level in 2016. Then, if the RF Ministry of the FEFD Development approves the project, the infrastructure development will involve federal funds.
Attention, paid by the Yakut government to the Canadian government, is easily understood. While the republic is looking for investors, presenting projects at various levels in the country and abroad, «Silver Bear Resources» has been investing for ten years not only in exploration, but also in socio-economic development of settlements in Kobyai district, where it operates. According to the "Forecasts" manager Yuri Petrov, the Canadian party sent more than 1,5 billion rubles of its own funds for production goals during this time. And more than 12 million rubles for the "social" goals. "Forecast" carries the whole complex of geological studies in Endybal area on its own. 95% of employees are the republic residents.
The company’s plans are no less ambitious. Owning licenses, attracting highly qualified specialists, the company intends to develop open deposits of polymetals in West Verkhoyansk. Currently, the Canadians are starting industrial development of silver deposits with reserves of C1 and C2 in the amount of 1147 tons and an average silver content of 630 grams per tonne. They are building production facilities there, including the processing plant, scheduled to start in late 2016. The challenge is to deliver the necessary volume of goods – building materials, heavy equipment during the period of winter roads. It is about 400 kilometers north of Yakutsk in difficult terrain.
"The project is realized in time of the complex geopolitical situation, uncertainty in the financial markets. Few dare to invest surplus funds in exploration and production, given the increasing risks," president of «Silver Bear Resources»Graham Hill complained. According to him, it requires about $ 50 million to launch the project at full capacity. Now they have about $ 11 million. Added to this is the decline of world prices for precious metals. If last year the ounce of silver was worth $ 20, today - $ 14.5.
But the head of the company remains optimistic. "Mangazeya project is one of the world's largest one of its kind by the content of silver in the fields. It makes no sense to leave this place. According to our estimates, the available reserves will last for fifty years. But today, a lot depends on the realization of the first phase", said Mr. Hill.
First, the Canadian side asks for assistance in addressing issues, related to the arrangement of ice roads, construction of the runway at the field, reconstruction of a river pier and tank farm in Batamay village. At the same time, the company emphasizes that these facilities will serve not only to them, but also to all the inhabitants of remote village.
It is difficult to judge, whether the Canadian side was satisfied with the outcome of the representatives meeting. In any case, Mr. Hill called the proposed options "interesting and worthy of attention." We add that the «Silver Bear Resources» sent a proposal to Yakutia to conclude an agreement on social and economic partnership to be signed in the next visit.
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