The transaction, which Alrosa and Polyus disclosed on Monday, represents the world’s largest diamond producer’s daring entry into the gold mining sector.
Almazy Anabara, an Alrosa subsidiary, has bought the Degdekan gold mining deposit in the Magadan region, according to Russia’s Interfax news agency. The $276 million transaction demonstrates Alrosa‘s commitment to improving its financial stability and operational benefits.
“The development of the gold deposit will provide an additional synergistic effect for Alrosa‘s business and help increase its financial stability in the long term,” Alrosa CEO Pavel Marinychev said in a statement.
Initially, Alrosa intends to invest 24 billion roubles ($276 million) in developing the Degdekan deposit, with annual gold production expected to reach 3.3 tons at full capacity beginning in 2030. Currently, Alrosa‘s gold output is minimal, delivering around 180 kg per year as a sideline to its major diamond operations.
Polyus, Russia’s largest gold producer and also subject to Western sanctions, decided to sell the Degdekan deposit to optimize its exploration portfolio, focusing instead on the development of the Sukhoi Log gold discovery in Siberia, one of the world’s largest undeveloped gold discoveries.
Financial analysts believe that the transaction price will be between $50 and $100 million, which could represent a significant chunk of Alrosa‘s free cash flow. The move is projected to dramatically boost Alrosa‘s EBITDA once production begins, leveraging current gold prices.
Despite its renewed interest in gold, Alrosa reiterated that its fundamental strategy remains focused on diamond mining. The company underlined that, while moving into gold accords with its mining expertise, diamonds will continue to be its major emphasis.
The Degdekan deposit’s appeal originates from its convenient placement near existing transportation and energy infrastructure, which allows for efficient development and operational logistics.
Alrosa‘s growth into gold mining coincides with increased economic pressure from Western sanctions, particularly on diamond exports. The Group of Seven (G7) nations recently imposed limitations on Russian diamonds, highlighting the geopolitical backdrop against which Alrosa‘s strategic diversification takes place.
In 2023, Alrosa reported a net profit of 85.18 billion roubles ($925 million), a 15.2% decrease from the previous year, despite adverse global economic conditions and geopolitical tensions.
Alrosa‘s decision to integrate the Degdekan gold deposit into its operations until 2046 marks a watershed point in the company’s history, as it navigates difficult international restrictions while strengthening its position in the global mining sector.