Norilsk Nickel reduces nickel production 3% to 266,400 tonnes in 2015
MOSCOW. Jan 29 (Interfax) - Norilsk Nickel produced 266,406 tonnes of nickel in 2015, 3% less than in 2014, the metals giant reported on Friday.
Nickel production in Q4 2015 rose 16% quarter-on-quarter to 72,653 tonnes.
Nickel output from the company's own Russian feed reached 220,000 tonnes (in line with the production target of 220,000-225,000 tonnes), down just 1% year-on-year. "The decrease was driven mostly by the ongoing reconfiguration of production facilities at Polar division, reduction of low-margin tolling operations at Kola MMC as well as the deconsolidation of Tati Nickel owing to its divestiture in 2Q 2015," Norilsk said.
Nickel output from the company's own Russian feed reached 59,000 tonnes in Q4 2015, up 7% quarter-on-quarter. The increase was mainly attributed to the processing of work-in-progress material.
Norilsk Nickel Harjavalta produced approximately 14,000 tonnes of nickel in Q4 2015, up 82% quarter-on-quarter. The increase was from a low base in Q3 2015 as the refinery was undergoing scheduled repairs. Nickel output in 2015 amounted to 43,000 tonnes, an increase of 2% year-on-year owing to increased processing of own Russian feed and also matte from third parties.
Nickel production in Q4 2015 (tonnes):
| Q4 2015 | Q3 2015 | Change | 2015 | 2014 | Change | |
| Polar division | 24 980 | 24 100 | 4% | 96 916 | 122 390 | (21%) |
| Kola division | 33 807 | 30 757 | 10% | 125 100 | 106 048 | 18% |
| Norilsk Nickel Harjavalta (Finland) | 13 866 | 7 606 | 82% | 43 479 | 42 603 | 2% |
| TOTAL: | 72 653 | 62 463 | 16% | 266 406 | 274 248 | (3%) |
| from Russian feed: | 58 759 | 54 798 | 7% | 220 251 |
