In line with the fundamental principles ofits environmental policy, the Norilsk Mining and Metallurgical Company (MMC Norilsk Nickel) istaking all necessary measures toprevent and reduce its emissions ofatmospheric pollutants aswell asharmful effluent. Itis also establishing facilities for the disposal ofpollutants with the aim ofreducing the harmful effects ofits industrial activities onthe environment.
As part ofa long-term programme ofproduction reconstruction, aseries oflarge-scale investment projects aimed atreducing the levels ofharmful atmospheric emissions were completed in2005. Inparticular, the flash smelting production line facilities atthe Nadezhda smelting plant were rebuilt and put into operation.
Also in2005, the Gipronickel Institute finalised its plans for the reconstruction ofits second sulphur production line atthe Medny factory, which will, inthe course ofthe next few years, make for a40per cent reduction inthe level ofatmospheric emissions ofsulphur dioxide atthat particular facility (when compared with the level ofemissions in2005).
In the same year the company increased its use ofsulphur from effluent gases resulting from its smelting operations by4.1per cent (and by7.2per cent atthe Medny factory) incomparison with 2004. Sulphur dioxide emissions per tonne ofnon-ferrous metals produced were down by3.8per cent. Overall emissions ofatmospheric pollutants were reduced by2.9per cent incomparison with figures for 2004(this includes a2.8per cent lowering ofsulphur dioxide emissions and a5per cent reduction inthe level ofsolid waste production).
A whole series ofprojects were developed in2005for the purification ofdomestic and industrial sewage for the companys industrial facilities. The implementation ofthese projects inthe period 2006 2008will lead toan overall reduction of12million cubic metres per year inthe amount ofuntreated sewage produced. The amount ofwater used for industrial and domestic purposes last year was 5per cent down onfigures for 2004, and overall water drainage was reduced by1per cent. The amount ofpollutants emitted insewage was down by10per cent.
2005 was ayear that saw the company continue toreduce the harmful effects ofits industrial waste onthe environment. The total level ofwaste disposal for 2005was reduced by6.4per cent compared with figures for 2004, despite the fact that the overall level ofwaste produced in2005had increased.
In recognition ofits significant contribution indeveloping and implementing projects aimed atenvironmental protection, the companys Polar Division was awarded adiploma bythe Federal Ecological Technological and Atomic Inspection Service inJuly 2005.
MMC Norilsk Nickels efforts inthe area ofnature conservation were acknowledged atthe nationwide conference New State Environmental Policies inthe Industrial Sector ofthe Economy, where the company was awarded anhonorary diploma asLeader inthe Area ofNature Conservation for its energetic participation inpursuing the realisation ofstate environmental policies inthe Russian Federation. Anumber ofMMC Norilsk Nickels environmental specialists were presented with medals inrecognition oftheir achievements inthe protection ofthe environment.