The new zinc electrolysis plant in Verkhny Ufaley, located in the Chelyabinsk Region, is scheduled to commence operations in 2025, according to a report from the regional government. The plant is being constructed on the site of the former Ufaleynickel enterprise, which was a key industrial facility in the town before its closure in 2017.
Construction of the plant is well underway, with the assembly and installation of equipment currently in progress. Key developments include the completion of foundation work at all major facilities, the erection of steel structures, installation of lighting, and finalization of the thermal circuit. Additionally, work on the railroad line is expected to be completed by December.
Alexei Teksler, the governor of the Chelyabinsk Region, emphasized the importance of the project, noting that the revival of this industrial site with modern, environmentally friendly hydrometallurgy technologies will significantly minimize environmental impact. He also highlighted the commitment to local employment, with more than 90% of the 820 planned jobs at the plant to be filled by residents of Verkhny Ufaley.
The new facility is expected to have an annual production capacity of 120,000 tons of metallic zinc, making it the second-largest zinc production plant in Russia. The investment in the project is estimated at 21.4 billion rubles (approximately USD 226 million).
Ufaleynickel, the former enterprise on the site, ceased operations in April 2017 due to low nickel prices, which rendered the company unable to meet its financial obligations. The company was declared bankrupt later that year, and the bankruptcy proceedings have been extended multiple times, with the most recent extension lasting until October 2024. 
