MOSCOW, October 23. /TASS/. Norilsk Nickel reports a decline in nickel production by 9% year on year to 145,000 metric tons in January - September 2023, the Russian mining and metals company says in its press release.

Palladium production gained 1% to 2.14 mln Troy ounces in the reporting period. Copper production plunged by 4% to 304,000 metric tons. Platinum production scaled up by 1% to 2.14 mln Troy ounces, the company reported.

The company confirms the forecast of metals production from Russian feedstock within the framework of the earlier announced range, Senior Vice President of Norilsk Nickel Sergey Stepanov said, cited in the press release.

Norilsk Nickel produced and supplied a pilot batch of premium grade nickel for the galvanic sector, the senior executive said. "Scheduled expansion of making such products makes it possible to diversify and expand our sales market. Testing of new mining equipment from friendly countries and scheduled replacement of withdrawing one continued also in the third quarter," Stepanov added.