Gold rush
iGround Control brings you exclusive access to the fleet of Hitachi EX3600‑6s working at one of the most awe‑inspiring mining locations in the world – the high‑altitude Kumtor gold mine in Kyrgyzstan
4,000
The Kumtor gold mine is 4,000 metres above sea level – one of the highest gold deposits in the world
5
There are 5 Hitachi EX3600-6s working as the primary excavators on the site
110
“The commitment has to be 110%, and Hitachi is supporting our dedication to be a world-class operation”
Rodney Stuparyk, Vice President of Operations, Kumtor Operating Company
21
The 21m3 buckets fill the 105m3 payload dump trucks in four or five passes – the optimum level of productivity
24/7
“The EX3600‑6s are working like fine Swiss watches, supported by our 24/7 routine maintenance programme”
Ruslan Kochetov, Project Supervisor, Turkuaz Machinery
94
“I have been very impressed with the five Hitachi excavators and their 94% availability is excellent”
Tursunbek Dautov, Mine Maintenance Superintendent, Kumtor Operating Company
18
The most experienced operator is Turat Kemelov, who has been working in the mine for 18 years
2.5
Incredibly, ice grows into the mine at a rate of between 1.5 and 2.5 metres per day
2023
The life of the mine has been extended until 2023
