The sulphur dioxide and heavy metal pollution from the Kola Mining Metallurgical Combine’s plant in Zapolyarny will not see its final end before February 2012. Norilsk-Nickel sent out a press-release today where they outline the timeframe for the long-lasting modernization of the pelletizing-roasting process in Zapolyarny near the border to Norway.
The pollution of sulphur dioxide and heavy metal from the company’s two plants in Zapolyarny and Nikel is still a serious environmental challenge for both Norway and Russia in the border areas. BarentsObserver reported earlier in September that the fallout of cobber, nickel and arsenic on the Norwegian side of the border were four to seven times higher in the summer periods 2004-2008 than in the 15 years before.
At the roasting plant in Zapolyarny and the smelter in Nikel the total emission of sulphur dioxide (SO2) was near 100 thousand tons in 2008, according to Norilsk-Nickel’s own figures.
Introduction of concentrate briquetting will upgrade the facility into a modern, efficient and highly automated plant, Norilsk-Nickel writes in today’s press release. The new environmentally friendly process at the Zapolyarny site is expected to cut the SO2 emissions fortyfold from 40,000 to 1,000 tons per year.
The estimated costs of the modernization is 2,2 billion rubles (USD 73 million).
Vladimir Strzhalkovsky, General Director of MMC Norilsk Nickel, says the company has adopted a most advanced approach to the industrial modernization by factoring all the aspects of sustainable development, i.e economic, environmental and social, in the development of this project.
- Ultimately, Norilsk Nickel will operate an up-to-date, efficient and non-polluting production facility that will improve the Company’s performance indicators, Strzhalkovsky says.
The new timeframe for the Zapolyarny modernization do not mention anything about the future of the smelter in the town of Nikel.
It is not the first time Norilsk Nickel presents a timeframe for the modernization of its roasting and briquetting factory in Zapolyarny. In its 2006 annual report (pdf), the company wrote “Completion of design stage is expected by the end of 2007, with subsequent initiation of construction of a new technological briquetting facility. This facility will allow the discontinuing of the outdatedconcentrate roasting and pelletizing technology in the town of Zapolyarny by 2010.”
