The Ministry of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic, the Government of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom , and Seligdar PJSC signed an agreement of intent for cooperation in the implementation of projects of the Kyuchus cluster of deposits of tin, gold, and other natural resources. The small nuclear power plant (SNPP) based on the RITM-200N reactor should become a major source of energy to power the development of promising deposits in the Arctic part of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).
The agreement was signed by Anatoly Bobrakov, Deputy Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic, Aysen Nikolayev, Head of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation, and Sergey Tatarinov, CEO of Seligdar PJSC.The signing ceremony took place on the sidelines of the 8th Eastern Economic Forum.
The parties intend to jointly address state support measures for the implementation of Kyuchus cluster projects aimed at the creation of new businesses and accelerated economic development of remote areas.
“Characteristic features of the Far East and the Arctic are the presence of remote and isolated territories with a large number of promising mineral deposits. Advanced Russian nuclear industry domestic developments in the area of small-scale nuclear power make it possible to provide electricity for large mining projects. I am confident that breakthrough technologies along with the government support measures in place in the Far East, will make a powerful impact and accelerate social and economic development of the territories,” noted Anatoly Bobrakov, Deputy Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic.
“The small nuclear power plant will give a powerful impetus to the development of Yakutia’s Arctic regions. It will ensure the operation of industrial production facilities, and in the future it will substitute the existing diesel power plants. At the same time, the social and logistical infrastructure of the nearest settlements will be radically improved, which will certainly have a positive impact on the people’s living standards,” said Aysen Nikolayev, Head of Yakutia.
“Thanks to the SNPP project, the remote northern territories of Yakutia will receive a reliable and high-quality source of power supply for the development of the Kyuchus gold deposit, the Tirekhtyakh and Deputatskoye tin deposits. I believe that our joint efforts we will create the most favorable conditions in the region for the implementation of major industrial projects, which will contribute to increasing the investment attractiveness of the Arctic zone of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia),” stated Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom.
“The development of the Kyuchus deposit is a large-scale and responsible task that opens a new page in the development of the regional industry. The implementation of this major project will create new jobs, contribute to the development of infrastructure, and give a powerful boost to the development of Verkhoyansk and Ust-Yansk districts of Yakutia. Despite the wealth of mineral resources, gold mining in these areas is an extremely complex process that requires the application of advanced technologies and the latest energy solutions. Seligdar Holding will make every effort and apply all expertise and knowledge gained over decades to effectively develop the Kyuchus deposit,” noted Sergey Tatarinov, CEO of Seligdar PJSC.
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The project for construction of Russian-designed SNPPs is being implemented on the basis of the latest domestic RITM-200N reactor facility which is based on many years of experience in operating small reactors on ships of the Russian nuclear-powered icebreaker fleet. To date, eight RITM-200 reactors have already been manufactured and installed on four universal icebreakers. Implementation of the SNPP project will ensure energy self-sufficiency and social and economic development of the Arctic territories of Yakutia. Fuel supply for the SNPP is required once every 5 years, which ensures stable power supply to vital industrial enterprises and social facilities. The SNPP will become the heart of one of the largest mineral resource centers in Russia which in the future will provide power to industrial enterprises. This involves development of the Kyuchus, Deputatskoye, and Tirekhtyakh deposits, construction of transportation and engineering infrastructure, social facilities in Ust-Yansk and Verkhoyansk districts, and construction of a power transmission line. The SNPP project entails positive transformations in the township of Ust-Kuyga and Ust-Yansk District, which will create a developed area that is comfortable for work and life. More than 1,000 new jobs will be created during the construction of the SNPP, and about 600 jobs – after the plant is put into operation. In April 2023, a siting license for Yakutia SNPP was obtained, and on August 29, 2023, an opening ceremony of the first facility of the nuclear plant’s off-site infrastructure – a temporary camp for construction workers in the township of Ust-Kuyga – took place.
The President and the Government of the Russian Federation are expanding the range of measures to support domestic industry. Implementation of major projects, including those in the energy sector, is accelerating. The Russian fuel and energy complex continues planned capacity upgrades. This work is being done taking into account current trends in digitalization and substitution of imported equipment. Rosatom and its entities take an active part in this work.
