Rights of employees and external stakeholders to a healthy environment
Nornickel respects the right of all people to a healthy environment and strives to reduce its environmental footprint in the regions across its footprint, as well as to introduce environmental initiatives.
The Sulphur Programme yielded the most impressive results in the reduction of air emissions. Nornickel’s goal is to deliver an industry-leading performance in cutting emissions.
Since 2016, the Sulphur Programme has resulted in the closure of three major outdated metallurgical facilities:
- 2016 – Nickel Plant in Norilsk;
- 2020 – Smelting Shop in Nickel;
- 2021 – Kola MMC’s metallurgical shop in Monchegorsk.
The full shutdown of the obsolete copper line at the refining shop on the Kola Peninsula led to the complete elimination of transboundary emissions. Between 2015 and 2021, Nornickel achieved a 90% reduction in sulphur dioxide emissions in Kola Division, which is above the target of 85%.
Following the closure of Nickel Plant in 2016, SO2 emissions in Norilsk went down by 30%, while the number of newly detected cases of diseases demonstrated a drastic reduction.
Progress against Sulphur Programme in Norilsk:
- active implementatioon oof Phase 1, launch of Sulphur Programme 2.0 at Nadezhda Metallurgical Plant: in 2022, we continued to build off-gas recycling facilities, sulphuric acid neutralisation line and related infrastructure, and carry out construction, installation and pre-commissioning works. Target — a 45% decline in total SO2 emissions at Norilsk Division’s facilities by 2023 (vs 2015);
- preparatory work is being carried out under Phase 2, launch of Sulphur Programme 2.0 at Copper Plant to capture furnace and converter gases. In 2022, the Company reviewed some of its design solutions taking into account import substitution of technologies and equipment. Target — a 90% reduction in total SO2 emissions at Norilsk Division’s facilities by 2030 (vs 2015).
In 2021, the Company rolled out an advanced air quality monitoring and forecasting system in Norilsk and Monchegorsk to inform residents about air quality in each district and in the city in general, as well as for plant dispatchers to promptly decide on changing the production process to prevent or minimise emissions. Readings will be transmitted online; dispersion visualisation is based on a mathematical model with a 24-hour forecast. In 2022, the Company completed the first stage of implementing the air quality monitoring and forecasting system in Norilsk and Monchegorsk.
