In 1989 nickel production reached 46,935 tonnes, of which exports amounted to 46,071 tonnes worth 715,000,000 francs and equivalent to one-fifth of the territory's budget.

In 2004/05, the value of nickel production ($2.3 billion) exceeded that of gold ($2.2 billion).

The making of stainless steel takes up two-thirds of nickel production, with the rest going into aerospace, batteries and other uses.

But nickel production from this source is limited to about 40% of the total world production.

About 6% of world nickel production is still used for corrosion-resistant pure-nickel plating.

The technology and experience developed during the course of this project were never commercialized because the last two decades of the 20th century saw an excess of nickel production.

This change could increase copper output as Norilsk Nickel tries to maintain its level of nickel production.

In 2000, nickel production was 39,943 tons, ranking tenth in the world, a decrease from 49,152 in 1997.

In today's agreement Yeltsin announced that Russia would come up with its share, partly by exempting the plant's nickel production from export duties.

All subsequent nickel production there has been under Soviet or Russian authority.