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Introduction: the article examines the materials of Gornozavodsk local economic micro-district to identify the processes that shape the classical poly-centered conurbation on this territory. Objectives: analysis of Gornozavodsk conurbation specific features, historical development of this old industrial territory in the Western Urals, as well as the overall social, economic, and infrastructural challenges of future opportunities for the mining and metallurgical area of Prikamye. Methods: comparative and comprehensive analysis of the prerequisites and agglomeration evolution in the old industrial territory of the mining and metallurgical Prikamye, statistic data analysis, analysis of the regulatory documents on the territory spatial development, identification of the strategic potential for Gornozavodsk conurbation. Results: spatial aspect and prerequisites to shape and develop the agglomeration processes in the neighboring municipalities in the mining and metallurgical Prikamye have been identified; strategic priorities for dealing with the traditional challenges in the social and economic development in the old industrial territories have been formulated in terms of their neighboring and associated performance. Conclusions: the current conditions of the uneven spatial development and polarization of the social and economic processes update the need to identify priority “growth points”, to enhance agglomeration aspects of the territorial interaction, to consolidate the efforts by the federal, regional, and municipal authorities and systemic companies in strategic development of the industrial territories in the Western Urals.