The world's largest nickel and palladium producer Norilsk Nickel has announced it will be re-launching its Lake Johnston mine north-east of Kalgoorlie next year.
The group's Australian assets were placed in care and maintenance indefinitely due to the unfavourable economic environment and poor nickel market in 2009.
After an recent internal audit Norilsk has decided to re-start the Lake Johnston mine and is currently carrying out restoration works.
"Production start is scheduled for the first half of 2011," Norilsk said in a statement.
Lake Johnston has geologic reserves of 146,000 tonnes of nickel and mineable reserves of 38,000 tonnes.
Close to 1 million tonnes of ore can be mined annually, which transfers into 9,500 tonnes of metal.
Norilsk Nickel plans to increase existing reserves due to intense exploration program.
Norilsk Nickel general director Vladimir Strzhalkovsk said, "The launch of Lake Johnson forms the basis for development of the Company's production capacities in Australia."
"Launching a number of Australian assets will eventually help the Company to strengthen its positions on the world's base metal market," he said.
