The Report discloses the underlying principles and methods, as well as outcomes and outputs in sustainable development.

«The company’s flexible financial and dividend policy allowed it to deliver good financial results, kept the company on course as it upgraded and reconfigured production facilities, and ensured that it rigorously fulfilled all obligations to its partners and counterparts. However, what we have achieved is not an excuse to rest on our laurels. The company faces serious challenges, such as continuing to keep costs under control and increasing labor productivity. In 2016 we launched a long-term development program through 2023. We expect a 50% increase in production volumes and an almost doubling of enrichment volumes. Meeting those goals will require upgrading technology and production facilities», says Vladimir Potanin, President and Chair of the Board of Norilsk Nickel.

The company allocated more than 25.7 billion rubles to environmental issues. In 2016 Norilsk Nickel’s expenditures to upgrade production facilities to make them more environmentally friendly, investments in environmentally-friendly projects, and spending on ongoing environmental projects have increased by 9%, year-on-year. An obsolete nickel plant in Norilsk was shut down last year, resulting in the reduction in sulphur dioxide emissions in the city. The Talnakhsky enrichment plant and the Nadezhdinsky metal plant have undergone modernization, a salt effluent recycling facility was put into operation at Kola MMC, and company-wide preparation work is underway to convert to metal leaching technology. Overall emissions for the group’s companies went down by 6.2% in 2016. At the Zapolyarny branch emissions were reduced by 5.1%, while Kola MMC brought down emissions by 21.7%.

Vladimir Potanin, the President of Norilsk Nickel, emphasized that projects are completed without lowering production volumes and with no significant reduction in employment.

Norilsk Nickel remains the largest tax payer in the regions where it operates. Last year the company spent 23.6 billion rubles on social programs, philanthropy and the development of social infrastructure. Norilsk Nickel contributes to the development of the urban environment, supports social entrepreneurship and volunteering. The company spent 7.4 billion rubles on philanthropy and community development.

Occupational health and safety have always been a major preoccupation at Norilsk Nickel. In 2016 a large number of measures have helped to bring down the injury rate. Production staff now behave more responsibly, taking the initiative more often to point out safety rule violations. The large-scale introduction of new equipment, new safety systems, new systems for positioning and radio communication at the mines have all contributed to the reduction in the injury rate.