Mining equipment manufacturer Sandvik says its first Balkans underground machine automation deployment at Adriatic Metals’ new Vares multi-metal operation is a “significant milestone in advancing mining automation” in the region.
Adriatic, ramping up production at the circa-US$190 million silver, copper and base metals mine in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is using Sandvik’s AutoMine remote control and automation technology at Vares. Sandvik said the Multi-Lite version of AutoMine allowed operators to remotely control and supervise multiple machines from a control station.
The two-phase implementation at Vares features two operator stations and three Sandvik underground loaders. “The system is now operational across two production levels, enabling Adriatic Metals to sustain continuous, around-the-clock production,” Sandvik said.
Adriatic mined first ore at Vares in mid-2023 and produced 1.33 million silver-equivalent ounces last year. After several weather-related delays in the second half of 2024 it expects to achieve commercial production in the current quarter and nameplate production of 800,000 tonnes per annum in the first half of 2025. The company has flagged full-year 2025 production of 625,000-675,000t ore milled for 12-13 million ounces Ag-eq.
At its nameplate underground mining and milling rate the operation is forecast to deliver 90,000tpa of zinc concentrate and 65,000tpa silver-lead concentrate for an average 15Mozpa in its first six years, with gold and copper by-product credits further underpinning AISC around US$7.30/oz.
Adriatic has earmarked funds from available cash of US$46 million in January this year and a new US$50 million share placement for a $25 million expansion of the Vares processing plant to 1.3Mtpa and for working capital. It aims to hit the 1.3Mtpa rate by 2027. “[The] pathway to over 20Moz Ag-eq annual production … places Vares silver operation among the largest primary silver producers globally and the lowest cost primary silver mine globally at about US$10/oz Ag-eq AISC,” the company said this month.
Vares’ current reserve base supports an 18-year mine plan. Adriatic has a 44 square-kilometre land package around the mine “covering a 22km-long district-scale corridor of high-grade targets”.
“We are thrilled to be the first in the Balkan region to implement the AutoMine Multi-Lite system,” Adriatic maintenance superintendent Bryce Arnold said. “Its precision and consistency not only enhance our productivity but also significantly reduces the risk of personal injury and equipment damage. This technology is a game-changer for our operations.”
