MMC Norilsk Nickel is continuing to implement programs that will ecologically improve operations in the Murmansk region using technological upgrades.
Alexander Malyshevsky, the chairman of public council of the federal service for supervision over natural resources use, personally inspected production facilities at Kola MMC, a subsidiary of Norilsk Nickel. The company plans to abandon obsolete technology such as the roasting process for nickel-copper concentrate because it does not comply with existing ecological standards.
“When fulfilling our plans, we place emphasis on cooperation with Rosprirodnadzor’s Public Council,” Alexei Tolstykh, the deputy general director of Kola MMC, said. “This is the exact body that may independently and high-professionally evaluate our work. And I believe this is a very good example of Kola MMC’s cooperation not only with government authorities, but with non-commercial organizations as well, whose opinion is always very important for us.”
Norilsk spent approximately $450 million to reduce sulfur dioxide between 1997 and 2011. Total emissions in the towns of Nikel and Zapolyarny amounted to 247,000 tons per year in 1997. That number was reduced to 100,000 tons in 2011.
Malyshevsky said that by adhering to such positive trends in the upgrading of facilities, the efficiency of environmental activities can be improved and serve as the basis for national environmental policy.