Norilsk Nickel (Nornickel) has completed commissioning of a 30% expansion of throughput capacity and modernization of the Talnakh concentrator at its Polar division in north-central Russia. Total throughput capacity has increased from 7.6 million to 10.2 million mt/y of ore; target nickel and copper recovery rates and the target quality of nickel-pyrrhotite and copper concentrates have been reached; and metal losses to tailings have been reduced. The plant is meeting its metal production targets while utilizing less smelting capacity.
Total CapEx to complete the Talnakh expansion exceeded 47 billion rubles (about $850 million).
