Norilsk Nickel’s nickel output falls 30% to 32,644 tns in Apr–Jun

MOSCOW, Jul 20 (PRIME) -- The nickel output of Russian metals giant Norilsk Nickel fell by 30% on the quarter to 32,644 tonnes in April–June, the company said on Tuesday.

Copper output decreased by 11% to 81,400 tonnes in the period, palladium output dropped by 28% to 548,000 ounces, and platinum output fell by 27% to 134,000 ounces.

In January–June, production of nickel fell by 26% on the year to 79,283 tonnes, of palladium grew by 17% to 1.314 million ounces, of copper fell by 28% to 172.692 tonnes, and of platinum fell by 1% to 318,000 ounces.

In the entire 2021, the company expects to produce 190,000–200,000 tonnes of nickel, 335,000–355,000 tonnes of copper, 2.35–2.41 million ounces of palladium, and 580,000–640,000 ounces of platinum.

Norilsk Nickel also said that its Taimyrsky mine has reached an around 80% capacity in June, and will reach its full capacity until the end of November.

In February, Norilsk Nickel partially suspended operations of its two key mines, Oktyabrsky and Taimyrsky, due to an inflow of groundwater. The Oktyabrsky mines recovered fully in May.

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