Norilsk Nickel (Nornickel) is in discussions with Chinese partners to establish a joint venture for copper production in China, with agreements expected in the coming months.
Nornickel CEO Vladimir Potanin stated that the company has secured government support for its strategic development plan, which includes cooperation with China. The project’s financial projections have been factored into Nornickel’s 2025-2026 budget, according to Senior Vice President Sergey Dubovitsky.
The initiative involves relocating copper production from Norilsk to China, addressing modernization challenges caused by restricted access to Western equipment and financial constraints.
The project is set to be completed by mid-2027, with Nornickel supplying approximately 2 million tons of copper concentrate annually from its Zapolyarny division.
