Voronezh refractory clay project targets 500 million rubles of investment
Larta Minerals Voronezh plans to invest 500 million rubles in refractory clay extraction and processing in Russia’s Voronezh region between 2026 and 2028. The company already supplies more than 11% of the Russian market for raw materials used in ceramics and metallurgy.
Three quarries underpin the expansion
Larta Minerals Voronezh is preparing a 500 million-ruble investment project to expand the extraction and advanced processing of refractory clay in the Khokholsky district of Russia’s Voronezh region. According to regional publication VestiPK, the project is scheduled to run from 2026 through 2028.
Voronezh Governor Alexander Gusev discussed the development with Khokholsky district head Mikhail Yelchaninov and Larta Minerals Voronezh chief executive Vitaly Astapov, the publication reported, citing the regional government’s press service. The company is developing the Latnenskoye deposit and currently operates at three quarries. The proposed investment would include the acquisition of additional land and preparatory work required for further extraction.
Supplier serves ceramics and metallurgy
The existing operation accounts for more than 11% of the Russian market for raw materials used in porcelain stoneware, ceramic tile, sanitaryware and metallurgy, according to VestiPK. These customer groups depend on mineral inputs with consistent chemical and thermal properties. Refractory clay is particularly relevant to heat-intensive production, where materials must tolerate high temperatures, while prepared clay mixtures can also be incorporated into specialized formulations.
The source did not disclose current mine output, processing capacity or a production target for the expansion. It therefore remains unclear how much additional clay the project could place on the market. The company does, however, plan to establish a separate line for clay batch material used in coloring compositions. VestiPK said the line would be launched “next year,” without giving a specific commissioning date in the supplied report.
Project could reinforce domestic supply
For Russian manufacturers of tile, porcelain stoneware, sanitary ceramics and metallurgical products, the expansion could broaden access to domestically produced mineral feedstock. Its commercial effect will depend on the specifications of the processed material, the pace at which new extraction areas are prepared and the utilization of the planned processing line. The company’s existing share of more than 11% means that changes in its output may be relevant to industrial customers beyond the Voronezh region.
The plant currently employs 130 people, with average earnings of about 120,000 rubles, VestiPK reported. The expansion is expected to strengthen the supplier’s position in the national market and increase public revenue. Annual tax payments to budgets at different levels are forecast at approximately 200 million rubles. No financing structure, customer contracts or detailed construction timetable was disclosed, leaving the project’s eventual capacity and effect on prices to be determined as implementation proceeds through 2028.
