The owners of Tara Mines Finnish mineral company Outokumpu today confirmed it was in talks with several firms about the sale of Tara but declined to confirm a report that Inmet was a potential buyer.
"We are discussing with the different buyer candidates. I can't give out any specific names," a Outokumpu spokesman said today.
Weekend media reports claimed that Canadian mining company Inmet was in talks to buy Tara in a deal which could be valued at more than 100 million - a value which Mustala would not confirm.
Earlier this month, Outokumpu's board had approved a plan to secure "the profitable operation and increase value" of Tara, which it closed late last year with a loss of nearly 700 jobs.
Tara - Europe's biggest with annual output of almost 200,000 tonnes - was initially shut down mainly due to slumping zinc prices.
Outokumpu, a significant European producer of zinc, nickel, copper products and stainless steel, said last year it planned to quit capital intensive base metals mining by selling off three of its mines including Finland's Pyhasalmi copper and zinc operation, Tara and the Black Swan nickel mine in Australia.
Mr Mustala said the sale of Pyhasalmi to Inmet was concluded earlier this month. He added that Outokumpu was in talks with several companies regarding the sale of Black Swan.