Norilsk Boosts African, Australian Nickel to Cut Russia Reliance

OAO GMK Norilsk Nickel, the largest producer of the metal, plans to increase nickel-concentrate output in South Africa and Australia to curb dependence on Russian mines.

Norilsk intends to raise production at its South African Nkomati project by 58 percent this year from 5,815 metric tons last year, while output at Australia’s Lake Johnston mine may jump fivefold to 8,400 tons, Roman Panov, the head of Norilsk’s overseas operations, said today in a statement.