Norilsk Nickel H1 palladium output down 3% at 1.342 mln oz
MOSCOW. July 29 (Interfax) - Russian mining giant Norilsk Nickel produced 1.342 million troy ounces of palladium in the first half of this year, 3% less than in H1 of last year, the company reported.
H1 output of platinum group metals amounted to 328,000 troy oz, 7% less year-on-year.
Norilsk plans to produce 2.625 million-2.64 million oz of palladium in 2013, 3.3%-4% less than the 2.731 million oz produced in 2012, and 655,000-670,000 oz of platinum, 2%-4% less.
The company produced 755,000 oz of palladium in the second quarter, 28% more than in the first.
Platinum output rose to 188,000 oz in the second quarter, 35% more than in the first quarter.
The Polar Division and Kola MMC produced 725,000 oz of palladium in the second quarter, 27% more quarter-on-quarter, and 1.297 million oz in the first six months, 2% less year-on-year.
Platinum production at the Russian subsidiaries in the second quarter rose to 178,000 oz, 30% more than in the first quarter. Overall production in the first half was 315,000 oz, 6% less year-on-year.
