Norilsk, the Russian nickel mining corporation, is taking its first step out of the home territories of the former Soviet Union with its participation in the Nakety nickel project in New Caledonia. The project is estimated to be worth more than USD 500 million. Assisting in the generation of the project, which was initiated by the Australian/Canadian company Argosy, is the South African project development and process engineering group Bateman Project Holdings, who have worked with both of the other project associates on previous ventures.
The relationship with Norilsk could grow for Bateman as the Russians are said to be interested in base metal projects in Africa and South Africa. The South African company has developed technologies and management and marketing techniques to apply to the commercial exploitation of a range of raw mineral mining projects in developing countries. It is currently completing a USD 160 million gas compressor plant in Turkmenistan, which is being followed by a similar plant in Uzbekistan.
