Outokumpu has made a partnership agreement with OMG Harjavalta Nickel Oy which enables Outokumpu to continue mining the Hitura nickel mine in Nivala, Finland, with acceptable profitability to both partners. The objective is to continue mining until about year 2004. The concentrates will continue to be toll smelted at Outokumpu’s Harjavalta smelter for OMG Harjavalta Nickel Oy. The mine’s annual production will be some 3000 tonnes of nickel in concentrate and it employs 150 people.