OREANDA-NEWS. October 31, 2011. OJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel (hereinafter – the Company or MMC Norilsk Nickel) initiates the next phase of Bystrinskoe deposit development – construction of transport infrastructure and access roads at Bystrinskiy mining and processing plant (MPP), reported the press-centre of Norilsk Nickel.   

The distance covered by combined road and railway network from Gazimurskiy plant station of Noaryn 1 (Borzya) line (currently under construction) will total approximately 12 kilometers. Commissioning of access roads is scheduled for Q3 2013. Construction costs are estimated to be approximately RUB 2.8 bil.

Development of Bystrinskoe deposit is carried out as part of “construction of transport infrastructure in order to develop natural resource deposits in South-Western Zbaikalye territory” project, which is being implemented by MMC Norilsk Nickel on the basis of public-private partnership scheme with the support of the Investment fund of Russian Federation. The project provides for construction of two mining and processing plants at Bystrinskoe and Bugdainskoe deposits.

Development of access road and railway network ensures transportation of construction materials and articles during Bystrinskiy MPP construction. For the duration of production activities it will ensure delivery of materials required for the plant’s operations and transportation of finished products.

Commissioning of Bystrinskiy Mining and Processing Plant is scheduled for 2016. The planned production volumes at Bystrinskiy MPP are:

- 62 thousand tons of copper

- 6.3 thousand tons of gold in concentrate

- 2.1 million tons of iron in iron ore concentrate

Development of natural resources in Zbaikalye region” investment project is implemented as part of the public-private partnership scheme. The two partners are the Investment fund of Russian Federation and MMC Norilsk Nickel. Investment will total RUB 104 597 bil. Funding provided by MMC Norilsk Nickel will total over RUB 80 bil., RUB 72 358.04 mil. of which would be allocated towards independent development of Bystrinskoe and Bugdainskoe deposits.