Norilsk Nickel (Nornickel), a Russian nickel and palladium mining and smelting company, reported that its nickel production totaled 47,000 tons in the first quarter of this year, dropping by 9% compared to the same period a year ago.

The decrease in nickel production was mainly due to short-term scheduled repairs at the Nadezhda Smelter and a grinding mill at the Talnakh concentrator.

The company said that the quality of its nickel cathodes produced in the Kola Division has improved obviously due to higher operational efficiency.