Development and implementation of an automated, intelligent system for managing the flotation process. Objectives: • minimization of gold losses with enrichment tailings; • improvement of technological gold extraction; • production of enrichment products with a conditioned content and ratio of gold in the concentrate of the factory; • stabilization and provision of optimal operating parameters of the technological process; • obtaining additional information on the progress of the flotation process.

Items 1, 2, 3, 5 - the comments were eliminated, items 4, 6 - a meeting was held, at the meeting it was decided to remove the number of equipment in the list in item 16, item 6 - the scheme of the technological chain was sent to the flotation (sent to the mail). Detailed comments on the remarks in paragraphs 4 and 6 are indicated below in the text. Remark: 4. Specified in paragraphs 5.3.1.4. b) and 16 - list of sensors/equipment/The software is excessive in terms of parameters and quantity. Additional independent technical expertise is required. Answer: Regarding the list of sensors and server hardware. As part of the R&D for the development and testing of a hybrid flotation process control algorithm for the Suzdal Mine, the key task is not only the development, but also the comprehensive validation of algorithms in conditions close to industrial conditions, so the system being created must meet all the requirements for mission-critical systems. This requires a powerful and autonomous computing platform that provides solutions to critical R&D tasks: training and calibration of digital twins and predictive models, multivariate modeling to test technological hypotheses (enhanced recovery, mode stabilization), and real-time processing of big data, including streams from sensors and computer vision systems. The requirements for network equipment (clause 16) are specified based on the Company's internal regulations. The system must meet the requirements of information security and fault tolerance, including mechanisms for reserving key components and data to ensure the continuity of business processes. The sensors specified in clause 5.3.1.4 (b) have already been installed and require control of the flotation speed/output control by the system. The equipment will be used exclusively for the tasks of this research and development. Remark: 6. Taking into account the R&D nature of the project and the confirmation of hypotheses, it is advisable to limit the implementation of the project to the installation of sensors / equipment, as well as testing on a single technological flotation line. Only after confirming the effectiveness in the pilot zone, then scale up to the entire complex of equipment. Answer: On the issue of testing on the same production line. In the case of flotation as a continuous and interconnected technological process, isolated testing on one line of flotation machines will not allow achieving and validating the target rate of extraction increase of 1 percentage point . Flotation machines in the line (refilling chambers) and parallel sections operate in a single balance of pulp, reagent mode and granulometric composition. Changing the parameters on one line of flotation machines inevitably affects the operation of the neighboring one. The control algorithm, which claims to increase the overall efficiency of the factory, should optimize the entire system, not its individual node. All flows from the 2 flotation lines are combined together, so the process is inseparable. Approbation is required for the entire redevelopment of the flotation. The target effect of 1 percentage point is an indicator for the entire flotation plant. Achieving and, critically, reliably measuring such an increase on a single flotation machine or line (where background variability and measurement error may be comparable to the effect) is impossible. To confirm the hypothesis, trials on a scale adequate to the claimed effects are needed. As part of the R&D, we are ready to provide for the phased commissioning of the system (for example, launching on one section and then expanding to the entire front within the framework of one project), which will reduce operational risks. But the control group for comparison and measurements of the overall effect should cover the entire technological front. Without this, it is impossible to prove the success of R&D in the stated parameters. Conclusion: Conducting tests on only one line of flotation machines does not meet the stated R&D goal of increasing total recovery by 1 percentage point and will not allow obtaining statistically significant results. Approbation is required for the entire redevelopment of the flotation. We ask the Foundation to take these technical arguments into account and approve the initial plan as the only correct one from an engineering point of view to carry out the declared work and achieve the R&D goal.