One of the world's largest tin deposits - Pyrkakai - could be sold to business interests from China or Malaysia, reported 'Kommersant' newspaper.
Pyrkakai tin deposit, satellite view. Picture: Google maps
It is currently owned by Millhouse Capital, controlled by billionaire Roman Abramovich, a former governor of the Chukotka region.
The deposit includes 228,500 tons of tin and 23,000 tons of tungsten, it is claimed, and the license is held by Severnoye Olovo.
There has been speculation that Chinese company Shenhua could be a potential buyer after its representatives visited Pyrkakai last year.
Millhouse has so far not initiated negotiations with any buyer, said the newspaper, which also said that Millhouse declined to comment on the matter.
Mining operations are scheduled to start in 2017 following considerable capital investment.
The following year there is a target to produce six million tons of ore, producing 11,100 tons of tin and 814 tons of tungsten annually.
Major southeast Asian companies are showing an increasing interest in potential deals in Siberia and the Russian Far East.
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