Udokan Copper Begins Production in Far East After Delays, Targets Asian Markets

Published: Sep 4, 2026 03:50

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Russian mining company Udokan Copper said its plant in Russia's Far East has begun producing copper cathode, nearly three years later than originally planned, after a fire delayed the launch.Udokan is Russia's largest copper mine project and is currently under US sanctions. The company began producing copper concentrates in September 2023.

Its operator had planned to start up a hydrometallurgical plant in Q2 2024 to produce copper cathode or concentrates using solvent extraction-electrodeposition (SX-EW) technology, with capacity of up to 135,000 mt per year.Phase-one production at the project is expected to increase to 150,000 mt per year from 2026, with output targeting the Chinese market as well as export markets in China and other Asian countries.

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