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Amur Minerals Corporation, a copper and nickel explorer in Russia’s Far East, plans to fly equipment to its Siberian operation by Zeppelin.

Zeppelins to move equipment in Siberia

Amur Minerals Corporation, a copper and nickel explorer in Russia’s Far East, plans to fly equipment to its Siberian operation by Zeppelin to bypass snow-clogged roads in a region where temperatures can dip to minus 60 degrees Celsius.

Published: 25 September 2014

As road and rail transport can often be hampered by these wintry conditions, mining companies are forced to look for other cost-effective transport solutions.

Amur plans to use two airships from Worldwide Aeros Corp that can carry loads of up to 250 tonnes. This kind of airship is suitable for use in rough terrain because it can take off and land vertically. In addition, airship fuel costs are around a third of those for a cargo plane. For Amur, their use will reduce the estimated USD 140 million expense of building a 320-kilometre (200-mile) road to the nearest rail station, as well as cut freight costs.