Air
MMC Norilsk Nickel’s operations emit over 60 air pollutants, with sulphur dioxide accounting for 97% of their total volume. One of Nornickel’s 2031 Environmental and Climate Change Strategy priorities is to cut sulphur dioxide emissions.
In line with the Environmental Policy, MMC Norilsk Nickel and its Business Units undertake to implement strategic environmental projects and initiatives to reduce emissions. Our major effort in this area in terms of scale and funding is the Sulphur Project, a landmark initiative under the Clean Air federal project (the Ecological Well‑Being national project).
Sulphur Project
The technology of Nornickel’s flagship environmental project to capture and recover sulphur dioxide (SO2) comprises converting off‑gases of metallurgical operations into sulphuric acid and then neutralising it to produce gypsum. The resulting gypsum pulp from the neutralisation process is stored in a dedicated gypsum storage facility.
Comprehensive testing of the first process line was started at Nadezhda Metallurgical Plant in autumn 2023, with the line gradually ramped up to full capacity during 2024.
In 2024, construction of the principal and infrastructure facilities continued, various pieces of process equipment were installed, and pre‑commissioning and comprehensive testing were conducted. A second sulphuric acid production line was commissioned to increase sulphur dioxide recovery through the recovery of off‑gases from the plant’s second flash smelting furnace.
At the sulphuric acid production section, construction work was carried out on the third sulphuric acid production line. Its subsequent launch will enable continuous sulphuric acid production across the full circuit, ensuring the project’s sulphur dioxide recovery targets are met while also allowing for timely equipment maintenance.
A more than 99% recovery rate was achieved, a figure confirmed by government agencies during control and oversight inspections. An increase in sulphur dioxide recovery by up to two times is projected for 2025.
Total investment in the comprehensive project at Nadezhda Metallurgical Plant is projected to reach RUB 250 billion upon full completion.
Upgrades of assets
In order to reduce air pollution, the Kola site’s metals and mining enterprise continued to implement a number of activities in 2024 as part of the project to upgrade the system for dust removal from gases generated by the local refining shop. The Company replaced electrostatic precipitators for treating off‑gases from fluidised bed furnaces, installed advanced heat‑exchange equipment, and revamped the sulphuric acid section. The installation of state‑of‑the‑art equipment will enhance the dust removal from off‑gases generated by the refining shop’s fluidised bed furnaces before the gases are directed to the sulphuric acid section. This will improve gas recovery and the quality of the resulting sulphuric acid, thereby reducing emissions of sulphur compounds.
In 2024, the Group’s total emissions amounted to 1.3 mln t, down 23.5% y‑o‑y.
This significant decline was driven by the launch of two process lines under the Sulphur Project for comprehensive testing, which boosted the sulphur dioxide recovery rate at Nadezhda Metallurgical Plant to 99.1%.
Importantly, the Company achieved this record reduction in emissions while maintaining output close to 2023 levels.
Nornickel neither produces nor uses ozone‑depleting substances (ODS) in its products, except for extremely limited amounts with the following applications:
- A chemical agent for laboratory‑based chemical analysis
- Filling and topping up compressors in air conditioning units, industrial air conditioners, and carbonated water machines, using refrigerant as a cooling agent for medium‑ and low‑temperature refrigerating equipment
The Company reports on the use of such substances to the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment as required.
There were no ODS emissions in 2024.
Environmental monitoring programme: an automated emissions control system and compact atmospheric air quality monitoring stations
The programme targets two areas: mandatory government emissions control and voluntary urban air quality monitoring.
Compliance with legal requirements is ensured through the implementation of an automated emissions control systems at enterprises, which transmit data to regulatory authorities every 20 minutes on a continuous basis. An automated emissions control system is already used at Nadezhda Metallurgical Plant, with another system piloted at Copper Plant. In 2025, the Company plans to use these control systems to track the reduction in sulphur dioxide emissions as a result of the Sulphur Project at Nadezhda Metallurgical Plant.
In 2024, Nornickel launched the first integrated real‑time air quality monitoring system for urban communitiesNorilsk, Kayerkan District, Talnakh. in the Arctic Circle. The air quality index is calculated based on the extent to which permissible concentration limits are exceeded for four major pollutants. Current air quality indicators of the Norilsk Urban District are available on Norilsk’s official website.
In addition to observations, the Company forecasts pollution levels, which is especially important during periods of adverse weather conditions, when the accumulation of pollutants in the atmosphere is particularly active. Specialised systems using artificial intelligence analyse air flow patterns and predict the trajectory of emission plumes in advance. To reduce the risk of air pollution, Nornickel may scale back production ahead of adverse weather conditions.
Nornickel consistently meets all commitments made by the Company under the Clean Air federal project, using the most advanced methods and best available technologies. This is a powerful example of how honouring our commitments can drive positive change. The launch of the air quality monitoring system in Norilsk became a symbol of the Company’s responsibility not only to the government, but also to the region, the city’s residents, and employees.
Norilsk residents are the primary beneficiaries of the system, which was originally designed with them in mind. Any Norilsk resident can access reliable information about the city’s air quality at any time. In doing so, the Company – being a backbone enterprise for Norilsk – demonstrates its commitment to transparency.
Alexander Popov, Senior Vice President – Chief Operating Officer, Head of Polar Division
Stakeholder engagement on air protection
Nornickel is a member of TC‑457 Air Quality and TC‑409 Environmental Protection technical standardisation committees. We review draft national standards in air protection and technical specifications for gas analysers.
The Company’s representatives sit on the working groups of the Committee for the Environment and Nature Management of a nationwide organisation representing the interests of the business community and the Public Council of the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
During 2024, the Company engaged with the Project Management Office of the Clean Air federal project, VNII Ecology, the Federal Service for Supervision of Natural Resources, and the Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring.