Investor interest in deep sea minerals is rising ahead of an mining code of conduct that’s expected to be concluded this year by the International Seabed Authority.

Nornickel owns a 50%-stake in the Bystrinsky mine.

Copper prices rose on Friday tracking gains in equities market buoyed by optimism over the global economic recovery on positive US labour data and its faster-than-expected covid-19 vaccination roll-out plans.

China’s biggest copper smelters have decided to not set a floor price for second-quarter treatment and refining charges (TC/RCs) for the second straight year.

Interested companies have had since Feb. 25 to study datasets of the five areas - which are located in the northeast of the country.

The study outlines a 15-year underground operation with an average annual gold production of 220,300 oz.