OREANDA-NEWS. May 04, 2010. OJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel (hereinafter – “Norilsk Nickel”, “the Company” or “the Group”), the world’s largest nickel and palladium producer, announces preliminary consolidated production results for the first quarter of 2010 at the Polar and Kola Divisions in Russia, as well as at its international operations in Finland, Botswana and South Africa, reported the press-centre of Norilsk Nickel.

Overall saleable nickel production in the first quarter of 2010 amounted to 70 thousand metric tonnes compared to 69 thousand metric tonnes in the first quarter of 2009 (+1%). The growth of total volume is due to increased output of Russian Divisions and higher production volumes of own nickel at Norilsk Nickel Harjavalta refinery in Finland.

Overall saleable copper production in the first quarter of 2010 totaled 97 thousand metric tonnes comparing to 96 thousand metric tonnes in the same period of 2009 (+1%).

In the reporting period the Company has produced 690 thousand ounces of palladium, representing a 17% increase compared to the first quarter 2009, and 160 thousand ounces of platinum (+14%).

The Polar and Kola Divisions in Russia produced 56.9 thousand metric tonnes of nickel in the first quarter of 2010, as compared to 55.2 thousand metric tonnes in the same period of 2009.

Copper production of the Russian divisions of the Company amounted to 90.6 thousand metric tones in the first quarter of 2010, generally matching the 2009 results.

In the reporting period the Kola and Polar Divisions managed to increase platinum group metals production up to 656 thousand troy ounces of palladium and 154 thousand troy ounces of platinum.

These results are in line with approved budget plans and annual production guidance of the Company. The Norilsk Nickel Harjavalta refinery in Finland produced 8.9 thousand metric tonnes of own nickel in the reporting quarter. At the same time, no tolled nickel was processed in the first quarter of 2010.

The reported results fell short of the approved plan by 3.2 thousand tonnes of nickel due to lower deliveries of materials for leaching treatment. The Norilsk Nickel Harjavalta refinery plans to   catch up with the production plan targets in the second half of 2010.

Overall production of nickel concentrate by Tati Nickel and Nkomati in the first quarter of 2010 totaled 4.4 thousand metric tones, being broadly in line with the production plan.

Australian assets of the Group remained in care and maintenance mode throughout the first quarter of 2010.

The stated production volumes do not include production results of Stillwater Mining Company, a subsidiary of the Company.