MOSCOW, October 24 - RAPSI. The Moscow Commercial Court has postponed until November 15 the preliminary hearings into Norilsk Nickel's lawsuit to declare illegal a watchdog's resolutions on metal deposits tenders in Siberia, the court told the Russian Legal Information Agency (RAPSI/rapsinews.com) on Wednesday.

The hearings have been postponed due to the defendant's failure to appear in court.

Norilsk Nickel believes the Federal Agency for Subsoil Use violated legislation while organizing and holding tenders.

The Russian Platina company won the agency's tender to explore and produce nickel, copper and cobalt in northern Siberia. Norilsk Nickel also laid claims to the land plot.

A tender on the right to hold a geological study and to explore and produce copper and nickel ore in a neighboring deposit was also declared invalid. Only Norilsk Nickel took part in the tender, but the company's proposals were deemed as not corresponding with the required terms.