OJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel has announced of preliminary results of 2011 environment protection measures of MMC Kola, a subsidiary of MMC Norilsk Nickel.

The basic vectors of the company activity in the field of environmental protection are gradual reduction of pollution factors, rational attitude towards natural resources, deployment of modern technologies and observance of current legislation and international agreements.

In 2011, MMC Kola brought to life several processes aimed at minimizing of hazardous industrial effects on the ambient. A caking plant has been constructed in the city of Zapoliarny and commissioning process has been launched. At the same time, production units of MMC Kola carry on local ecologically oriented projects.

Generally, in 2011, MMC Kola discharged, at the expense of gradual production upgrade, 7,600 tonnes less sulphur dioxide, i.e. a 5% reduction. The reduction was even in all the three sites, in Monchegorsk, Nickel and Zapoliarny. On the whole, MMC Kola polluting discharges in 2011 were in line with statutory norms and did not exceed the limits.

The company pays much attention to environmental monitoring and recuperation of the grounds nearby the production sites. These efforts are taken by MMC Kola in Monchegorsk in cooperation with the Lapland Reserve, and in Pechenga territory, with the Pasvik Reserve. Besides, as part of the agreement between MMC Kola and the Moscow State University, a general study goes on of sole reclaiming and vegetation rehabilitation methods in the damaged territories. The University scientists and students will carry on investigations until 2013 aiming at successful landscape gardening of anthropogenic deserts. In order to rehabilitate the ambient in the zones of the Company interests, MMC Kola has imported more than 6,500 tonnes of organic fertilizers which were applied to the damaged grounds in Monchegorsk.

The 2011 ecological budget of MMC Kola totaled to RUB 1.5 billion.

Source - Norilsk Nickel

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