“Sulfur Program”: Norilsk Nickel pays attention to the environment

Norilsk Nickel is a Russian mining and metallurgical company that is the world's largest producer of palladium and nickel. The industrial capacity of the enterprise is concentrated on three main sites (Norilsk, Kola and Transbaikal divisions). The company is currently implementing the Sulfur Program, which should become Norilsk Nickel's largest environmental project, its cost will be 300 billion rubles. The goal is to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions by 2030 times by 20.

Unfortunately, in recent years the name of this enterprise has been quite often associated with environmental problems. Thus, in 2020, a diesel fuel leak occurred at a thermal power plant owned by the Norilsk-Taimyr Energy Company (part of Norilsk Nickel), which became one of the largest man-made disasters in the Russian Arctic. In the same year, another structural division of the company (Norilsktransgaz) reported a serious leak of aviation fuel due to damage to the pipeline. In addition, one can recall the investigations of various media outlets that announced the discharge of contaminated water containing heavy metals and surfactants from the tailings pond of the Talnakh enrichment plant into the tundra.



Added to this are complaints from residents of the cities themselves where Norilsk Nickel enterprises are located. We are talking about Monchegorsk (Murmansk region) and Norilsk (Krasnoyarsk region). Many Russians have also heard about the extremely negative environmental reputation of these settlements. More recently, the president of Norilsk Nickel, Vladimir Potanin, speaking about the activities of the Norilsk MMC, admitted that from the moment of its founding in the 30s of the last century until recently, ecology was not a priority in his work.

Some results of the Sulfur Program can be seen already this year. A large part of it was implemented at the facilities of the Nadezhda Metallurgical and Copper Plants (Norilsk Division of Norilsk Nickel). Investments in the modernization of production facilities and the construction of new workshops amount to 300 billion rubles. If we talk about the technological features of the project, its methodology is based on the conversion of sulfur dioxide into sulfuric acid and its neutralization with limestone, producing gypsum waste, for the safe disposal of which a specialized gypsum storage facility has been created.

It is worth clarifying that all activities within the framework of this program are carried out within the framework of the federal project “Clean Air” and are its largest part. During the construction work, which at the moment affected only the Nadezhda Metallurgical Plant, up to 4 thousand specialists were involved, and more than 400 units of special equipment were used. Sanctions also played a role; during the implementation of the project, Norilsk Nickel encountered various difficulties; many foreign organizations simply refused to cooperate with the Russian company. The reorientation of supply chains led to the fact that more than 90% of the equipment used in the work was produced in the Russian Federation or friendly countries.

The effects from the introduction of new facilities are expected to be quite impressive. If currently sulfur dioxide emissions from metallurgical enterprises of the Norilsk Division amount to about 1,8 million tons per year, then already in 2024 SO2 emissions should decrease by 20%, and in 2025, when the commissioned capacities reach their design parameters, by 45% (relative to 2015 indicators). Vladimir Potanin then also emphasized that this is a project of an all-Russian scale that will affect the entire Arctic. It should become a symbol of the company’s fulfillment of its obligations to the residents of Norilsk.

If we talk about the Copper Plant, then due to the influence of geopolitical factors, work is currently underway to clarify the design solutions formed in the past, taking into account import substitution of equipment and of technologies. A number of Western engineering companies and component suppliers have terminated previously concluded contracts. Now Norilsk Nickel management is actively working to switch to domestic solutions that will be used in implementing the program.

It is also necessary to recall that previously certain manipulations within the framework of this program were carried out at the enterprises of the Kola division of Norilsk Nickel (Murmansk region). However, not all steps within it were of an evolutionary nature. Thus, it was decided to completely close the smelting shop in the urban-type settlement of Nikel. One of the few positive aspects of the closure of the entire enterprise was the fact that all its employees were offered employment at other Norilsk Nickel sites. In addition, as part of the Sulfur Program, modernization of production facilities in Monchegorsk and the flotation workshop at the processing plant in Zapolyarny was carried out. A loading center with a total capacity of more than 200 thousand tons of dry concentrate was also built. As a result of these activities, the reduction in SO2 emissions in the Kola Division compared to 2015 amounted to 90%, which is higher than the stated goal of 85%.

In July 2023, Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin visited the Nadezhda Metallurgical Plant, he noted the importance of the Sulfur Program, saying that he was extremely positive about the fact that Norilsk Nickel began to systematically deal with the environment. The head of government also emphasized that only compliance with all environmental standards will allow us to cope with the pollution that currently exists in Norilsk.

In conclusion, I would like to add that the northern nature, in which a significant part of Nornickel’s enterprises are located, requires increased attention. The Sulfur Program will reduce the negative impact on the environment, which will make life in nearby cities much more comfortable. In addition, the company’s environmental program can safely be considered a shining example of business fulfilling social functions, because its activities run counter to the ideas of many people that the main task of any business activity is irresponsible profit maximization.