OREANDA-NEWS. September 06, 2012. OJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel (hereinafter, “MMC Norilsk Nickel” or “the Company”) informs of successful completion of design stage at Bystrinsky GOK (Mining and Processing Combine). On August 10, the Company submitted the design documentation for the state expert appraisal. On August 14, the Company entered into an expert services agreement with Federal Autonomous Institution Glavgosexpertiza of Russia (State Expert Evaluation Department), reported the press-centre of Norilsk Nickel.

The Company’s subsidiary, Gipronickel Institute LLC, was contracted as a general designer.

It is scheduled to begin the GOK’s construction in 2013 and to terminate work in 2016. It is also planned to ramp the amount of production up to reach the design capacity by 2017. Pursuant to the design documentation, annual level of production shall amount to:

10 mln. tons of ore;

65.8 thousand tons of copper in concentrate;

2.1 mln. tons of iron in concentrate;

6.9 tons of gold in concentrate;

35.9 tons of silver in concentrate.

The construction of Bystrinsky and Bugdainsky GOKs (mining of a neighboring molybdenum deposit) is being implemented as part of private-public partnership. Investment Fund of the Russian Federation co-financing the construction of railways to the deposits is a partner of the project. At the moment, the Company builds the infrastructure and access roads to the deposits and carries out design work at Bugdainsky GOK.

Chita Project will become a principal source of revenue to the Zabaikalsky Territory’s budget. The development of Bystrinsky and Bugdainsky deposits by the Company will provide over 5 thousand new jobs in the region.