"The Japanese are very interested in [non-ferrous] concentrate and are ready to buy 100% of our output," MVS General Director Oleg Mikhailenko said. "We are obviously seeking diversification of our supplies, giving priority to domestic consumers, and then to our main partners, China and Japan."
Mikhailenko, currently in Tokyo for a business conference, said the holding had started construction of an integrated mining and processing complex at the Ozernoye deposit in the southeast Siberian region of Buryatia, about 5,500 km (3,400 miles) from Moscow.
The enterprise, which has an annual metal ore processing capacity of 6 million metric tons, will produce mainly zinc and lead concentrates. The first section is slated to be completed in 2008.
MVS is a holding formed by IFC Metropol to develop mineral deposits in Buryatia, including the Nazarovsk gold and zinc sulphide deposit, the Kholodnensk lead and zinc deposit, and the Yermakovsk beryllium deposit.
