Russia & CIS

  • Nornickel Projects Modest Growth in Nickel Production for 2024

    BY Sophia Schmitz
    Nornickel, a leading Russian miner, has outlined its production targets for base and precious metals in 2024, forecasting a slight increase in nickel output. The company expects nickel production to rise by 1.2%, reaching 204-211 thousand tonnes. Copper output is projected to remain stable at 363-373 thousand tonnes, with an additional 66-70 thousand tonnes of...
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  • Rusal Faces Rising Production Costs Despite Alumina Acquisition

    BY Lara Browne
    Russian aluminum producer Rusal is experiencing increased production costs despite acquiring a 30% stake in Chinese alumina producer Hebei Wenfeng New Materials (HWNM) for $264 million in 2023. The investment granted Rusal access to 1.4 million tonnes of alumina annually, replacing lost supply from Ukraine’s Nikolayev refinery and Australia, which had accounted for 40% of...
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  • Rusal to Double Aluminium Powder and Paste Production in Irkutsk

    BY Lara Browne
    Rusal is expanding its production capacity for advanced aluminium powders and pastes in the Irkutsk region, aiming to double its output. These materials are crucial for aerated concrete production, making Rusal a key supplier to Russia’s construction industry. The expansion is being carried out by OOO Metalcom, which oversees Rusal’s powder business. The company operates...
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  • Nornickel and BelAZ Partner to Enhance Mining Machinery Development

    BY Lara Browne
    Nornickel, one of the world’s largest precious metals producers and a leader in non-ferrous extraction, has signed a cooperation agreement with BelAZ, the leading CIS manufacturer of mining dump trucks. This partnership focuses on the development and production of specialized machinery tailored for Nornickel’s mining operations, aiming to reduce reliance on imported equipment and enhance...
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  • Nornickel Advances Copper-Nickel Mining Project at Severny Mine

    BY John Davis
    Nornickel, one of the world’s largest producers of non-ferrous and precious metals, is moving forward with a significant copper-nickel ore mining project at its Severny mine. The project will target deposits at depths of 430 to 730 meters within the Zhdanovskoye, Bystrinskoye, and Tundrovoye sites, which form part of the Pechenga Group, the raw materials...
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  • Seligdar Reports Increased Revenue Despite Declines in Gold and Tin Production

    BY Lara Browne
    In 2024, Russia’s Seligdar reported an 8% increase in consolidated revenue from metal sales, reaching 58.2 billion rubles (approximately $776 million). Revenue from gold sales rose by 6% to 50.8 billion rubles ($677 million), while revenue from tin, tungsten, and copper concentrates grew by 19%, totaling 7.5 billion rubles ($100 million). In the gold mining...
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  • Rusal Develops Primary Aluminium with Near-Zero Vanadium Content Using Inert Anode Technology

    BY Sophia Schmitz
    Rusal has achieved a breakthrough in primary aluminium production by significantly reducing vanadium and other heavy metal content using revolutionary inert anode technology. This advancement enhances the electrical conductivity of aluminium, opening new opportunities for its application in the power industry. The inert anode technology, a key development in aluminium smelting, allows for the production...
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  • Rusal to Begin Design of $4 Billion Alumina Refinery in Leningrad Region

    BY Lars Jensen
    Rusal is set to commence the design phase for a major alumina refinery in the Lomonosov district of Russia’s Leningrad region. The project includes surveying land for a port terminal and road infrastructure, paving the way for the construction of the Leningrad Alumina Plant (LAP). In 2022, Rusal established LLC ‘Leningrad Alumina Plant’ with an...
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  • Nornickel Aims to Expand Palladium Demand with Innovative Applications

    BY Lara Browne
    Nornickel, one of the world’s largest palladium producers, is working to broaden global demand for the metal by promoting innovative applications, addressing the anticipated decline in its use within internal combustion engine vehicles. The company, which produces more than 80 tonnes of palladium annually, foresees a long-term plateau in automotive industry demand—currently responsible for over...
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  • Rusal Seeks to Disrupt Nornickel’s Strategic Projects

    BY John Davis
    Rusal, Russia’s primary aluminum producer, has allegedly taken steps to disrupt several key investment projects by Nornickel, one of the world’s leading producers of non-ferrous and precious metals. According to a source close to Interros, Nornickel’s majority shareholder, Rusal’s actions have targeted initiatives critical to Nornickel’s growth and environmental goals. Among these is Nornickel’s ambitious...
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