OREANDA-NEWS. On June 05, 2008 Russia celebrated a professional holiday of environmental specialists, which was introduced by Decree of Russian President No. 933 dated March 21, 2007. MMC Norilsk Nickel team would like to congratulate all those involved in environment protection on this holiday and wish every professional success, reported the press-centre of Norilsk Nickel.

MMC Norilsk Nickel (hereinafter – Norilsk Nickel or the Company) is reviewing its 2007 environmental performance. Current environmental costs exceeded RUB 7,5 billion, which represents a 13% y-o-y growth.

Since 2005 the Company has implemented the Environmental Policy outlining major environmental guidelines and setting forth priority environmental goals and objectives.

Based on Environmental Policy guidelines, MMC Norilsk Nickel developed and implemented its environmental management system as part of its integrated quality and environmental management system.

Business units of the Company consistently undertake large-scale activities to reduce harmful effects on the environment.

For instance, in 2007 the amount of solids released after treatment reduced by 5,6% against 2006 figures, nickel oxide reduced by 2,6%, copper oxide – by 3,9%, cobalt oxide – by 19,2%, and lead – by 1,2% while efficiency of dust capture facilities went up 99,4% against 2006.

Generally, in the period from 2004 to 2007 as a result of a number of activities implemented by the Company total emission at the Polar Branch reduced by 70,8 Kt/y (representing 3,4%), sulfur dioxide emissions are 60,9 Kt (3%).  Relative reduction of emissions to the atmosphere is stronger with carbon oxide (31,4%), solids (19,1%), copper oxides (15,1%), nickel (23,9%) and cobalt (28,4%).

In the recent years a strong improvement trend is observed in Norilsk in terms of air quality due to a set of measures the Company took to reduce emission. In 2007 the total y-o-y reduction in duration of atmospheric air pollution in Norilsk was 12%, and the duration of high-level pollution periods went 20% down.

MMC Norilsk Nickel targets water use optimization and reduction of waste water discharge to surface-water bodies. In the last 5 years the total amount of water consumed was reduced by 27,1 mln m3 (9,1%).

The total water drainage reduced by 53,3 mln m3 (28,7%) in the last five years due to aquatic protection activities implemented under the plans and programs in place at the Company’s business units to rebuild and upgrade capital stock.

As a result of these activities the bulk of pollutants discharged to water objects with waste water slipped by 28 Kt (22 %).

The amount of water used in the recycling water supply systems of the Company’s operations is equivalent to 84,3 % of the total water used.

The Company achieved significant improvements in waste management. In the last 5 years the amount of waste utilization went up from 4,8 mln t to 19,3 mln t (4 times) and waste disposal reduced from 25,6 mln t to 14,9 mln t (by 10,7 mln t, i.e. by 41,8%).

The Company’s environmental achievements have been repeatedly recognized by the expert community. Notably, in November 2007 Norilsk Nickel became the winner of the national contest Environmental Performance Leader   – 2007 thus acknowledging its reputation of an environmentally and socially responsible business.

"Environmental protection is among top priorities for Norilsk Nickel. We work to lessen 5the impact of our operations on the environment, invest heavily in environmental measures and improve production processes", said Jacques Rozenberg, Deputy General Director.

Jacques Rozenberg also congratulated all environmental specialists upon their professional holiday and emphasized the importance of environmental efforts for further development of production.