In H1 of 2013, Norilsk Nickel decreased nickel production by 4% to 139.4 thousand tons

In the first six months of 2013, Norilsk Nickel decreased the nickel production by 4% to 139.39 thousand tons (in the first six months of 2012 – 145.46 thousand tons). In the second quarter of 2013, the nickel production made up 67.8 thousand tons that is by 5% less than in the first quarter of 2013. The main reason of the nickel production decrease was short delivery of nickel matte by the Zapolyarny subsidiary to the Kola mining and metallurgical company and toll raw materials to the nickel refinery Harjavalta, as well as preservation of an Australian enterprise of the group Lake Johnston, the company’s press release reports.

In the first six months of 2013, the company produced 186 thousand tons of copper that is by 4% more than in the same period of 2012. In the second quarter, the copper production increased by 4% as compared with the first quarter of 2013 to 94.6 thousand tons. The growth of the copper production was connected with the increased share of copper ore, processed by the Zapolyarny subsidiary, as well as conclusion of a contract on sale of copper cake between Norilsk Nickel Harjavalta and Boliden in the first quarter of the current year.