OJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel announces the 2011 operational results of its subsidiary in Finland Norilsk Nickel Harjavalta Oy.

In 2011, MMC Norilsk Nickel initiated implementation of a number of innovative organizational methods and technologies at NNH which resulted in considerable improvement of its key production indicators.

The 2011, finished products production plan was exceeded for all metals. Nickel production for 2011 was 3444 tonnes higher than planned and totaled 48,500 tonnes. Production plan was exceeded by 374 tonnes and 3717 tonnes for nickel cathodes and nickel briquettes respectively.

Reconstruction of Harjavalta was carried out in 2011 using the technologies suggested by the Russian specialists form MMC Norilsk Nickel. Operations using a fundamentally new converter matte leaching technology were initiated in H2 2011 as a result of this reconstruction. This technology significantly lowered irrecoverable losses of precious and non-ferrous metals with waste ferrous cakes, reduced operational expenses and increased production capacity of converter matte processing plant. Given the projected impact of this innovation, Harjavalta's 2012 budget sets the nickel production targets at 52,000 tonnes combined with a corresponding increase in secondary metal production.

All full scale industrial tests of the new technologies, as well as their implementation and commissioning were carried out without stopping the operations.

Mr Alexander Ryumin director of operations management department of MMC Norilsk Nickel said that "Given the current nickel prices, Harjavalta remains consistently profitable as the company's subsidiary, as for the technical capabilities it is one of the most advanced nickel refining plants in the world."