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Norilsk Nickel sued over pollution of rivers

The Russian mining and metallurgy giant Norilsk Nickel has got a 4,35 billion RUB (120 million EUR) claim from Russian environmental authorities for its pollution of rivers in the Krasnoyarsk Kray. Also in the Kola Peninsula, the company is a major contributor to pollution.

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Deputy Head of the Russian Nature Control Service (Rosprirodnadzor), Mr. Oleg Mitvol, yesterday announced a court suit against Norilsk Nickel. The authorities claims 4,35 billion RUB from the company following pollution of rivers in the Krasoyarsk Kray. Also the company Evrazek is sued by Rosprirodnadzor.

According to a press release from the Rosprirodnadzor, the damage inflicted on the Siberian rivers of Shuchya, Novaya Nalednaya is estimated to 4,35 billlion RUB.

Should the company be forced to pay the fine, it will still hardly have much consequences for company. Only in 2006, company net profits amounted to about 4,5 billion EUR