Talks to start with employees at Outokumpu’s Hitura mine about possible closing of the mine. Talks are commencing with all 150 employees of Outokumpu’s Hitura nickel mine in Nivala, Finland, according to the Cooperation Act with a view to possibly closing of the mine. The operation of the mine has become uneconomical mainly because of the drastic drop in the price level of nickel. At the same time, however, options to continue operations will be examined. The decision on the closing or continuation of the operation will be made during the autumn. The Hitura mine has been in operation for about 30 years and has supplied nickel concentrates mainly to Outokumpu’s Harjavalta nickel smelter. Excavation last year was 500 000 tonnes and the nickel content of the produced concentrates was 2 600 tonnes.
