Albynsky Mine Deploys New Russian Software Across Open-Pit Operations
A major Russian gold producer has adopted domestic mining software to accelerate laser‑scan processing, improve reserve accounting accuracy, and strengthen digital independence
Faster Processing, Higher Accuracy
Albynsky Mine, part of Atlas Mining, has transitioned its surveying workflows to the Russian‑developed nanoCAD platform. The switch reduced laser‑scan data processing time by more than half—from five days to two—and improved volume‑calculation accuracy by 15 percent.
The mine, one of the largest gold‑ore operations in Russia’s Amur region, now operates within a unified digital environment. Scan data integrates seamlessly with CAD and GIS systems, simplifying reporting and geometric‑model creation. For the operation, this translates into more efficient surveying, reduced labor intensity, and faster geodata output—improvements that directly influence production quality and mining pace.
A Domestic Solution for Complex Conditions
Mining at the Albynsky open pit spans 2.2 kilometers, presenting significant challenges for the surveying team. As output increased and reserve‑tracking requirements tightened, manual laser‑scan processing became a bottleneck. Existing foreign software struggled with noise filtering in rugged terrain and was inconvenient to integrate with CAD tools used for preparing engineering drawings.
After evaluating alternatives, the company selected nanoCAD, developed by Russian firm Nanosoft. The decision was supported by several factors: an intuitive interface, strong computational performance, accurate noise filtering, and automated surface generation. Full compatibility with AutoCAD and major GIS formats ensured seamless integration into existing workflows.
Speed, Performance, and Reliability
Russia’s mining‑geology information systems are expanding rapidly, increasingly powered by AI. Digital transformation is a defining technological trend across the sector. For mining companies, the ability to integrate products from different vendors into a unified digital space is critical—and open formats play a major role.
Mining consists of numerous processes that cannot be covered by a single system. Often, highly specialized tools are required. The Albynsky case demonstrates the maturity of Russian engineering software that not only meets operational needs but also reduces reliance on Western CAD and scanning systems.
Success at Albynsky may encourage other Russian gold, metal, and coal producers to transition to nanoCAD, especially as production volumes grow and reserve‑accounting precision becomes increasingly important.
Testing nanoCAD and its modules in demanding environments also opens pathways to international markets—particularly in regions where Western CAD licenses are prohibitively expensive or inaccessible.
The project aligns with Industry 4.0 principles: integration with digital twins and IoT systems could enable automated deformation monitoring, feedback loops with control systems, advanced visualization, and optimized extraction planning. As regulatory requirements for reserve reporting become more stringent, such digital systems will likely become standard across the industry.
A Long Road, but a Clear One
Digitalization trends were already under discussion in 2023 at the industry conference “Digital Technologies in Mining,” where experts presented on 3D modeling, numerical simulation, GIS, and CAE solutions. This confirmed that digital tools—geological information systems, 3D scanning, CAD/CAE, and automated geodata processing—represent a long‑term direction, not isolated experiments.
However, few mines have so far transitioned fully to Russian software. Most rely on hybrid systems or pilot projects. Albynsky’s experience stands out as a rare example of a complete migration to domestically developed tools with a measurable economic impact.
