Norilsk Nickel's output down 8 percent in Q2, 2012

Norilsk Nickel saw its nickel output decline 8% year-on-year to 69,000 tons in the second quarter of 2012, according to preliminary data released by the major non-ferrous metal producer. In the first six months of 2012, nickel output climbed 7% year-on-year to 145,500 tons, RBC reports citing the Company's statement.

"The downturn in quarterly nickel output is mainly due to shortages in deliveries of raw materials from third-party producers to the nickel refining plant in Harjavalta, Finland," Norilsk Nickel said in a statement, adding that the upturn in H1 output was attributable to an upsurge in the company's domestic output.

In H1, copper output eased 3% year-on-year to 178,000 tons, palladium output was down 3% to 1.38m ounces, and platinum output declined 2% to 325,000 ounces.