Russia expects Norilsk Nickel plant in Finland to continue production

According to Russian trade representative in Finland Anton Loginov, the Russian authorities expect the Nornickel Harjavalta plant in Finland to continue operating despite problems with the supply of raw materials.

The Russian mining company previously announced that it was seeking ways to supply raw materials to its plant in Finland after Finnish rail operator VR refused to carry Russian cargo since 2023.

“We hope that the plant in Harjavalta will continue to work, and the Finnish side, at least, will not interfere with this,” Loginov said in an interview with the Russian state agency RIA Novosti. “We must not forget that this enterprise remains a city-forming enterprise, and is also a key element of the planned battery cluster in the region.”

According to Loginov, since the decision of VR Group to suspend the transportation of goods in the Russian-Finnish direction, the Russian trade office has been in constant contact with representatives of the plant. “The issue of uninterrupted supply of raw materials is being actively worked out, alternative solutions have been found,” he adds.

Earlier, Harjavalta Mayor Hannu Kuusela said that the operation of the plant is critical for local authorities and local residents involved in the copper and nickel industry.

Data from Nornickel Harjavalta shows a production of 60,000 tons of nickel per year and a turnover of about 1 billion euros ($1.06 billion) per year. The company concentrates about 5% of world nickel production.

On Wednesday, the Wall Street Journal reported on US plans to impose sanctions against the main shareholder of Norilsk Nickel, Vladimir Potanin, citing US officials. However, Norilsk Nickel did not fall under the sanctions.