KRASNOYARSK, April 23 - RAPSI. The Krasnoyarsk Territory Commercial Court has registered the environmental watchdog's $32.58 million lawsuit against MMC Norilsk Nickel for environmental damage.

The lawsuit was filed on April 19. The court has five days to open proceedings in the case.

The Federal Service for the Supervision of Natural Resources confirmed the lawsuit, adding that the service seeks to recover debt for 2011.

Norilsk Nickel is a diversified ore mining and smelting company, and the world's leading nickel and palladium producer. It operates industrial facilities in the Norilsk industrial region and on the Kola Peninsula in Russia, Finland, the United States, Australia, Botswana and South Africa.