The international workshop devoted to prevention and management of emergencies in the Arctic region including environmental emergencies starts its work today in Dudinka. The workshop is organised by the Russian Ministry of Emergencies and the Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response (EPPR) Working Group of the Arctic Council. Norilsk Nickel provides assistance in the workshop organisation and takes an active part in the discussions. The workshop is attended by the experts of the Russian Ministry of Emergencies and representatives of the Arctic Council member states including Sweden, Norway, USA, Canada and Finland. This is a pilot event organised in the framework of a joint project which is implemented by the Ministry of Emergencies and the Arctic Council with the aim to improve security support systems for project development in the Arctic regions.
Implementation of the project is based on the state-private partnership. On the part of private business it is supported by leading Russian companies including MMC Norilsk Nickel whose key production facilities are located in the Far North. According to the General Director of MMC Norilsk Nickel, Vladimir Strzhalkovky, “The Arctic is not a theoretical but a practical issue to us. Here, in the Taimyr Peninsula, our operations are united in one industrial centre that includes production plants, power supply facilities and transport infrastructure. Given the remoteness and isolation of the Norilsk Industrial Region from ‘the mainland’, MMC Norilsk Nickel has assumed responsibility for securing reliable power supply to the production site and the city”. He also explained that Norilsk was always looking for innovative solutions ensuring the efficient operation of its production facilities in the Far North. For example, in order to avoid any interruptions in the transportation of production supplies to this industrial center, which may be accessed only by water or by air, Norilsk decided to create its own sea fleet of five Arctic-type vessels. Two vessels are already in operation, and after the commissioning of remaining three ships in 2009 the company will become logistically independent. The availability of the company’s own fleet will guarantee the reliability of metal delivery to our consumers and the environmental safety of cargo transportation.
One of the long-term goals set out in Norilsk’s development strategy consists in enhancing the environmental safety of metal production in line with environment protection laws. In 2007 the company’s expenditures in the environment protection measures at its Russian operations amounted approximately to RUB9 billion. Further steps were made to diminish air pollution, as provided for by the appropriate Action Plan.
Norilsk implements a large-scale environmental program worth RUB36 billion. The company maintains working contacts with a number of environmental organizations and operates in close co-operation with Putorana State Biosphere Reserve.
According to Vladimir Strzhalkovsky, “operation of Norilsk Nickel proves that Arctic does not mean just problems and challenges, but this region opens unique opportunities for development. I am sure that joint efforts of the state and private businesses, as well as experience sharing among all interested parties, will allow our country to develop the potential of these Arctic territories to the maximum extent”.
The workshop time-table includes presentations and discussions, a visit to the Oktyabrsky mine and a trip to Putorana Nature Reserve. Norilsk’s key production units in Russia are the Polar Division and OJSC Kola Mining and Metallurgical Co.