VEB.RF, Gazprombank, and Sberbank signed with the Baikal Mining Company (BMC) a syndicated loan agreement to develop the Udokan copper deposit. BMC is a member of USM, a diversified international holding company founded by Alisher Usmanov who is also its principal shareholder.

“The deal is Russia’s largest project implemented using the Project Financing Factory mechanism with VEB.RF acting as the project operator. All rouble-denominated tranches, including tranches from the partner banks, are government subsidised for the entire length of the loan in respect of fluctuations in the key interest rate. To cover interest expenses at the investment stage and any expenses associated with the project cost overrun, VEB.RF provides the Factory’s special instrument, Tranche B, as an additional liquidity cushion,” VEB.RF’s First Deputy Chairman - Member of the Management Board Nikolay Tsekhomsky said.

The total project budget approximates to USD2.9 billion with USD1.79 billion to be raised as a loan from a syndicate of banks for the maximum term of twelve years. However, the shareholders’ own investments in financing the license acquisition, R&D, project design, and early construction works have exceeded USD870 million.

After becoming fully functional, the Udocan mining and smelting facility will create more than 2,000 new industrial jobs aside from allied sectors, and generate over RUB750 billion in additional tax proceeds to the budgets at all levels during the first 25 years of operation.

Acting as the arranger, financial advisor and a lender providing up to USD650 million, Gazprom also expects to raise external foreign financing. Other participants in the syndicate include Sberbank (up to USD650 million) and VEB.RF (up to USD490 million), with the latter exercising powers of the lending manager.  

Valery Kazikayev, Chairman of BMC’s Board of Directors said: “It was our initial plan to use the project financing mechanism. We raise funds to ensure a full operation cycle: delivery of primary equipment for a mining and processing facility, a leaching plant, building and installation work including that related to the infrastructure construction, and delivery of ancillary equipment and transport.”

Construction on the industrial site has been underway since the first quarter of 2019. Delivery and installation of the primary equipment are scheduled to begin in the middle of 2019, whereas the Udokan mining and smelting facility is expected to become fully operational in 2022.  

“Through the concerted efforts of the project lenders and initiators we were able to find an optimal investment solution and to structure financing so that to make a high credit quality deal. In particular, the Factory’s financial instruments allow to obtain a subsidised interest rate and thus to hedge the project company against any increases in the Bank of Russia’s key rate for the entire length of the loan,” Deputy Chairman of Gazprombank’s Management Board Alexey Belous said.

“This project is of strategic importance for both the industry and the national economy in general. Undoubtedly, it will considerably help to improve efficiency of the Russian mining industry, create new jobs and develop state-of-the-art infrastructure. We are glad to have been able to participate in this important project, which is unique for the Russian market and, together with our partners, to offer a tailored financial solution in the customer’s best interest,” Deputy Chairman of Sberbank’s Executive Board Anatoly Popov said.

Located in Zabaykalsky Krai, Udokan is Russia’s largest undeveloped copper deposit and one of the largest in the world. Its development includes the construction of Phase 1 of a mining and smelting facility to produce cathode copper and copper concentrate, an open-cut mine with the annual production of 12 million tonnes of ore, and the respective infrastructure.