Mineral resource base
| POLAR DIVISION (copper‑nickel sulphide ores) | Ore (mln t) | Metal grade | Contained metal | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | ||
| Total proven and probable reserves | 1,373 | 0.69 | 1.18 | 3.03 | 0.82 | 0.17 | 4.00 | 9,460 | 16,216 | 133,721 | 36,272 | 7,311 | 176,391 |
| Total measured and indicated resources | 1,995 | 0.73 | 1.17 | 3.00 | 0.83 | 0.17 | 3.98 | 14,552 | 23,289 | 192,604 | 53,282 | 10,837 | 255,292 |
| Total inferred resources | 837 | 0.67 | 1.17 | 3.00 | 0.80 | 0.18 | 3.97 | 5,590 | 9,793 | 80,632 | 21,579 | 4,808 | 106,925 |
| Taimyr Peninsula | |||||||||||||
| Proven and probable reserves | 1,206 | 0.70 | 1.31 | 3.45 | 0.93 | 0.19 | 4.54 | 8,477 | 15,754 | 133,564 | 36,165 | 7,263 | 176,115 |
| Measured and indicated resources | 1,573 | 0.75 | 1.39 | 3.80 | 1.05 | 0.21 | 5.03 | 11,756 | 21,913 | 191,969 | 52,875 | 10,565 | 254,179 |
| Inferred resources | 782 | 0.66 | 1.23 | 3.20 | 0.86 | 0.19 | 4.24 | 5,181 | 9,595 | 80,531 | 21,513 | 4,760 | 106,742 |
| Kola Peninsula, disseminated ore | |||||||||||||
| Proven and probable reserves | 167 | 0.59 | 0.28 | 0.03 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.05 | 983 | 462 | 157 | 107 | 49 | 276 |
| Measured and indicated resources | 422 | 0.66 | 0.33 | 0.05 | 0.03 | 0.02 | 0.08 | 2,796 | 1,376 | 636 | 407 | 272 | 1,114 |
| Inferred resources | 55 | 0.75 | 0.36 | 0.06 | 0.04 | 0.03 | 0.10 | 408 | 198 | 102 | 66 | 48 | 182 |
| TRANS‑BAIKAL DIVISION (gold‑iron‑copper ores) | Ore (mln t) | Metal grade | Contained metal | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | | | | ||
| Proven and probable reserves | 272 | 0.52 | 0.65 | 2.73 | 18.7 | 1,429 | 5,728 | 23,937 | 50,914 |
| Measured and indicated resources | 292 | 0.59 | 0.66 | 3.16 | 22 | 1,732 | 6,213 | 29,658 | 64,294 |
| Inferred resources | 43 | 0.61 | 0.4 | 3.41 | 4.15 | 258 | 544 | 4,671 | 1,768 |
Existing deposits
The Company conducts exploration in three regions of Russia – on the Taimyr and Kola Peninsulas and in the Trans‑Baikal Territory. Through exploration at new and existing mine sites, Nornickel drives increases in its high‑grade and cuprous ore reserves to support future production from existing sites, viewing it as a key driver of its long‑term growth.
Given the current production rate, the available resources of copper‑nickel sulphide ores will last for
and those of gold‑iron‑copper ores – for
Ore deposits
Non‑metallic deposits
Deposits: Mokulayevskoye, Ozero Lesnoye, Gribanovskoye, Gorozubovskoye, Kayerkanskoye
Deposit: Bystrinskoye
Existing ore deposits
Deposits: Talnakhskoye and Oktyabrskoye
Minerals: copper‑nickel sulphide ores.
Location: Krasnoyarsk Territory, Norilsk. Geologically, they form part of the Talnakh Ore Cluster and are being developed by the Norilsk site of the Polar Division.
The Company has been developing the Talnakhskoye and Oktyabrskoye deposits since the early 1960s, when multiple deposits of high‑grade, cuprous, and disseminated ores were discovered within the area. Nornickel is still well supplied with non‑ferrous and noble metals from the uniquely rich and vast resource base of the Talnakh Ore Cluster deposits.
Deposit: Norilsk‑1
Minerals: copper‑nickel sulphide ores.
Location: Krasnoyarsk Territory, Norilsk. Geologically, it forms part of the Norilsk Ore Cluster and is being developed by the Norilsk site of the Polar Division.
The Company has been developing Norilsk‑1 since the 1930s, currently mining disseminated ores from the deposit’s northern portion. In 2020, the deposit’s resource estimate was updated against new permanent exploratory conditions for open‑pit and underground mining.
Deposits: Zhdanovskoye, Zapolyarnoye, Bystrinskoye, Tundrovoye, Sputnik, Verkhneye
Minerals: copper‑nickel sulphide ores.
Location: Murmansk Region, Pechengsky District.
The deposits are located within a 25 km strip between Nikel and Zapolyarny and are grouped into two ore clusters: the Western cluster (the Kotselvaara‑Kammikivi and Semiletka deposits, whose reserves were classified as off‑balance following a state expert review and excluded from the 2024 estimate) and the Eastern cluster (comprising the Zhdanovskoye, Zapolyarnoye, Bystrinskoye, Tundrovoye, Sputnik, and Verkhneye deposits). The deposits in the Western and Eastern clusters have been developed since the 1930s and 1960s, respectively. The deposits are developed by the Kola site of the Polar Division.
Deposit: Bystrinskoye
Minerals: gold‑iron‑copper ores.
Location: Trans‑Baikal Territory, Gazimuro‑Zavodsky Municipal District.
The Bystrinskoye deposit has been developed by the Trans‑Baikal Division since 2017. Mining operations are carried out at two open pits: Verkhne‑Ildikansky and Bystrinsky‑2, with two more — Medny Chainik and Yuzhno‑Rodstvenny — scheduled to come online in 2030.
Existing non‑metallic deposits
Deposit: Mokulayevskoye
Minerals: limestone.
Location: Krasnoyarsk Territory, Taimyrsky Dolgano‑Nenetsky Municipal District.
In 2018, following the discovery of the Mokulayevskoye limestone deposit located 10 km north‑west of the production sites of the Oktyabrsky and Taimyrsky Mines, an exploration and mining licence was obtained for its development. In 2018, the State Commission for Mineral Reserves of the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources reviewed the feasibility study of permanent exploratory conditions and the reserve statement for the deposit. The deposit’s limestone reserves — amounting to approximately 136 mln t — were entered into the State Register of Mineral Reserves for potential use in cement and lime production as well as for sulphuric acid neutralisation. The deposit can be developed through open‑pit mining.
In 2022, an exploration campaign was conducted to look into dolomite overburden within the Mokulayevskoye limestone deposit, and since 2023 the Company has been mining limestone at the site.
Deposit: Ozero Lesnoye
Minerals: magmatic rock (basalts).
Location: Krasnoyarsk Territory, Norilsk.
Located 22 km to the north of Norilsk, the deposit consists of two adjacent licence areas (No. 1 and No. 2) which share a common boundary. The deposit is developed within licence area No. 1. In 2017, Nornickel obtained a survey, exploration, and mining licence for the magmatic basalt reserves at licence area No. 2.
In 2022, Nornickel updated its reserve estimate for the deposit’s two licence areas to 189.2 Mcm. In 2023, a technical project was prepared for the further development of the deposit, enabling mining the two licence areas as one open‑pit mine to ensure continuous production, and mining operations commenced at the deposit.
Deposit: Gribanovskoye
Minerals: sand.
Location: Krasnoyarsk Territory, Taimyrsky Dolgano‑Nenetsky Municipal District.
In 2020, Nornickel obtained an exploration and mining licence upon the discovery of the Gribanovskoye deposit, located on the Yenisei River, 22.5 km south of Dudinka. In 2020, the exploration phase was completed and pilot production was launched at the deposit. A state expert review of the feasibility study of permanent conditions and the reserve statement was conducted in 2021, and sand production was launched in 2022.
Deposit: Gorozubovskoye
Minerals: anhydrite.
Location: Krasnoyarsk Territory, Norilsk.
In 2020, following further examination of the deposit’s flanks carried out as part of follow‑up exploration of the Gorozubovskoye anhydrite deposit, the reserves were converted from C2 to C1. A certificate issued by the State Commission for Mineral Reserves confirmed the parameters of the updated conditions and the anhydrite reserves. The deposit is currently under development.
Deposit: Kayerkanskoye
Minerals: quartzose sandstone, coal, tuffaceous argillite.
Location: Krasnoyarsk Territory, Norilsk.
Since 1967, the Kayerkanskoye deposit has been supplying the needs of the Company’s Norilsk site in materials used to produce fluxes for concentration and metallurgical processes at the metallurgical plants, as well as to manufacture building materials. The deposit is currently under development.
Growth projects
Deposit: Maslovskoye
Minerals: copper‑nickel sulphide ores.
Location: Krasnoyarsk Territory, Norilsk. Geologically, the deposit is part of the Norilsk Ore Cluster.
The Company obtained a licence to explore and mine the Maslovskoye deposit upon its discovery in 2015.
A feasibility study of permanent exploratory conditions and a reserve statement for the Maslovskoye deposit were approved by the State Commission for Mineral Reserves, and its copper‑nickel ore reserves were included into the State Register of Mineral Reserves. B + C1 + C2 ore reserves: 206.8 mln t.
Deposit: Kolmozerskoye
Minerals: beryllium, niobium, lithium, lithium ore, tantalum.
Location: Murmansk Region, Lovozersky District.
In 2023, an exploration and mining licence (under a 50%/50% JV arrangement) was obtained for the Kolmozerskoye deposit, located within an area of federal significance.
The balance (economic) reserves of the deposit were confirmed through exploration in 1960 at 75 mln t of ore and 844.2 kt of lithium oxide. In 2024, follow‑up exploration fieldwork was completed at the deposit to verify the quality and quantity of the minerals present. The development of a feasibility study of conditions and the approval of reserves by the State Commission for Mineral Reserves are scheduled for 2025.
Deposit: Bugdainskoye
Minerals: beryllium, niobium, lithium, lithium ore, tantalum.
Location: Trans‑Baikal Territory, Alexandrovo‑Zavodsky Municipal District.
The deposit’s mineral reserves, comprising 813 mln t of В + С1 + С2 ore reserves, including 600 kt of molybdenum, were included into the State Register of Mineral Reserves in 2007.
Deposit: Bystrinsko‑Shirinskoye
Minerals: gold ore.
Location: Trans‑Baikal Territory, Gazimuro‑Zavodsky Municipal District.
In 2024, a geological exploration project was developed to study the flanks and deep horizons of the deposit, which are characterised by a highly complex ore body structure. Geological exploration is scheduled for 2025, with a feasibility study and a reserve statement to be prepared based on its results.
Deposit: Western flank of the Oktyabrskoye deposit
Minerals: copper‑nickel sulphide ores.
Location: Krasnoyarsk Territory, Norilsk. Geologically, the deposit is part of the Talnakh Ore Cluster.
Licensed for prospecting in 2017, the area shares a boundary with the earlier licensed mining area at the Oktyabrskoye deposit. In 2022 and 2023, appraisal activities were carried out at the Zapadny section, where prospecting had earlier confirmed the presence of copper‑nickel ores. In 2024, a final report with reserve estimates was prepared and successfully passed the state expert review at the State Commission for Mineral Reserves. Following expert evaluations, reserve approvals anticipated in the second quarter of 2025 are as follows: rich ores — 225 kt, cuprous ores — 2,287 kt, and disseminated ores — 667 kt.
Promising areas and prospects
Area: Yuzhno‑Norilskaya
Minerals: copper‑nickel sulphide ores.
Location: Krasnoyarsk Territory, Taimyrsky Dolgano‑Nenetsky Municipal District.
In 2019, the Company obtained prospecting licences for the Morongovsky and Yuzhno‑Yergalakhsky copper‑nickel sulphide ore prospects within the Yuzhno‑Norilskaya area. In 2021 and 2022, prospecting of the areas was conducted, including prospecting drilling. An estimate of inferred copper‑nickel sulphide ore resources was completed. The resources total 46 mln t, are located on the flanks, and have potential for extension beyond the boundaries of both prospects. In 2023, a subsoil use licence was obtained for the adjacent Mezhdurechensky licence area. In 2024, a geological exploration project was developed. Exploration work is scheduled to commence in 2025.
Area: Mikchangdinskaya
Minerals: copper‑nickel sulphide ores.
Location: Krasnoyarsk Territory, Taimyrsky Dolgano‑Nenetsky Municipal District.
In 2019 and 2020, the Company obtained exploration licences for the Neralakhsky, Yuzhno‑Neralakhsky, Snezhny, Yuzhno‑lkensky, and Medvezhy prospects within the Mikchangdinskaya area. Prospecting drilling was carried out in 2021–2023. In 2024, an assessment was conducted to evaluate the viability of mining the identified disseminated copper‑nickel mineralisation, which demonstrated negative economic viability. A prospecting programme for the properties has been completed.
Area: Arylakhskaya
Minerals: copper‑nickel sulphide ores.
Location: Krasnoyarsk Territory, Taimyrsky Dolgano‑Nenetsky Municipal District.
In 2020, the Company obtained prospecting licences for the Yttakhsky, Samoyedsky, and Mastakh‑Salinsky prospects within the Arylakhskaya area. In 2021 and 2022, prospecting drilling was conducted at the prospects identified by geophysical and geochemical prospecting across areal zones. In 2024, an assessment was conducted to evaluate the viability of mining the identified disseminated copper‑nickel mineralisation, which demonstrated negative economic viability.
A prospecting programme for the properties has been completed.
Area: Alenuyskaya
Minerals: gold‑copper porphyry ores.
Location: Trans‑Baikal Territory, Alexandrovo‑Zavodsky District.
In 2020, the Company obtained prospecting licences for the Severo‑Alenuysky and Yuzhno‑Alenuysky prospects within the Alenuyskaya area. In 2023, prospecting drilling was conducted at the Tsentralno‑Alenuysky area. In 2024, an assessment was conducted to evaluate the viability of mining the identified gold‑copper porphyry mineralisation, which demonstrated negative economic viability. A prospecting programme for the properties has been completed.
Area: Mostovskaya
Minerals: gold‑silver ores, copper ore, molybdenum ore.
Location: Trans‑Baikal Territory, Mogochinsky District.
In 2020, the Company obtained prospecting licences for the Zapadno‑Mostovsky and Vostochno‑Mostovsky prospects within the Mostovskaya area. In 2022, prospecting drilling was conducted at prospects identified by geophysical and geochemical prospecting across areal zones. In 2024, an assessment was conducted to evaluate the viability of mining the identified gold and copper mineralisation, which demonstrated negative economic viability. A prospecting programme for the properties has been completed.
Area: Dogyinskaya
Minerals: gold‑copper and gold‑silver ores.
Location: Trans‑Baikal Territory, Gazimuro‑Zavodsky District.
In 2021, the Company obtained prospecting licences for the Severo‑Dogyinsky and Yuzhno‑Dogyinsky prospects within the Dogyinskaya area. In 2022 and 2023, prospecting drilling was conducted at prospects identified by geophysical and geochemical prospecting across areal zones. The prospectivity of the area has not been confirmed, and exploration programme has been completed.
Area: Shamyanskaya
Minerals: gold ore, copper‑molybdenum ore.
Location: Trans‑Baikal Territory, Trans‑Baikal District.
In 2021 and 2022, the Company obtained prospecting licences for the Zapadno‑Shamyansky, Tsentralno‑Shamyansky, and Vostochno‑Shamyansky prospects within the Shamyanskaya area. In 2023, prospecting drilling was conducted at prospects identified by geophysical and geochemical prospecting across areal zones. In 2025, after the ongoing laboratory tests are completed, a report on the area’s potential and an opinion on further prospecting will be prepared.
Area: Chuvanskaya
Minerals: gold ore, silver ore, copper‑molybdenum ore.
Location: Kamchatka Territory, Penzhinsky Municipal District. Chukotka Autonomous Area, Anadyrsky Municipal District.
In 2024, Nornickel obtained a prospecting licence for the Chuvanskaya area site. In 2025, preparation of a geological exploration project is planned, along with the commencement of prospecting activities, including geophysical and geochemical surveys.
