Nature and people suffer from SO2 emissions nowadays. But only some industrial producers try to reduce them and Norilsk Nickel is one of them.
Norilsk Nickel combats sulphur dioxide emissions in Norilsk and in the Arctic region in general. It has already contributed a lot to the reduction of such gases as Norilsk sulphur dioxide emissions level has decreased dramatically so far.
The company prioritizes environmental protection and works on different drafts devoted to nature preservation both locally and globally.
The article will point out the main ecological activities Norilsk Nickel is involved in and show how the Sulphur project helps this industrial giant to minimize the level of SO2 emissions in the Arctic region.
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Norilsk Nickel Combats Sulphur Dioxide Emissions and Implements Diverse Ecological Projects
As mentioned above, Norilsk Nickel actively participates in various ecological activities and drafts different projects the main aim of which is to preserve nature on various levels.
It pays attention to:
- protection of water by modernizing the existing systems and constructing new wastewater treatment facilities
- wise waste management by searching for new ways of recycling
- biodiversity conservation by taking part in different projects led in cooperation with national parks
- investigation of climate change issues by keeping a record of greenhouse gas emissions and voluntarily providing the information about them
- air protection by gradually reducing sulphur dioxide emissions in Norilsk, upgrading facilities and constructing new units
Moreover, the company has developed an environmental management system that helped to control and evaluate ongoing projects, attract new investors as well as contribute to the improvement of environmental awareness among employees.
Norilsk Nickel has been working on different ecological projects such as the great Norilsk expedition, the international draft which is held in Finland in cooperation with BASF, but the key one is surely the Sulphur project that the company has been working on for several years.
Let us have a closer look at this essential draft and check what has already been done and what results could be shown so far.
The Sulphur Project. How Norilsk Nickel Reduces Sulphur Dioxide Emissions in the Region
Norilsk Nickel understands the importance of the reduction of SO2 emissions as these gases are really harmful especially for sensitive groups of people. They may cause respiratory and heart problems, worsen asthma and bronchitis and affect nose, throat, lungs and skin.
Nornickel does its utmost in order to eliminate the consequences of the industrial production that is why the Sulphur project is the one Norilsk Nickel pays special attention to.
According to the plan, the project will be held up to 2025 and it will cost about $3.5BN in total. There are some steps as:
- Nickel Plant shutdown
- construction of SO2 capturing equipment
- total reduction of SO2 emissions in the region by 75% by 2023
The first step has already been completed and resulted in the planned shutdown of Nickel Plant, upgrade and expansion of Talnakh Concentrator and Nadezhda Plant. It has also led to the total reduction of emissions in the Norilsk residential area by 30% and by 15% in the Polar Division.
In addition, Norilsk Nickel has already signed the contract with STEP, a general contractor that has been working with Nornickel for a long time. It is going to contract the main project facilities and will be responsible for the sulphuric acid neutralisation project at Nadezhda Metallurgical Plant.
Moreover, Norilsk Nickel is ready to share its experience and recently the members of the Federal Council delegation have visited the showroom devoted to the Sulphur project in Norilsk.
The Showroom and Future Goals of Norilsk Nickel Within the Sulphur Project
The Sulphur project plays a huge role in the Arctic region and the senators were able to check its implementation and main goals during the exploration of the showroom.
Norilsk Nickel actively combats sulphur dioxide emissions and the Sulphur project it has been working on will help to protect air by clearing it:
- by 40% by 2023
- by 90% by 2025
Surely, the project is expensive and it is estimated that about RUB250BN will be invested in it. It was also noted that even the expenses connected with the pandemic did not stop the works.
The project meets all the deadlines and each step is completed according to the schedule. Moreover, Norilsk Nickel is building a residential complex with all the needed facilities for 1000 workers involved in the Sulphur project.
It is known that the project is essential not only for the Arctic region. It also plays a huge role for Russia in general. Norilsk Nickel reduces sulphur dioxide emissions regularly using modern technologies and implementing diverse ecological projects. One of the key points is that Nornickel will convert sulphur into plaster and it will surely contribute to the improvement of the region’s ecological situation.
It was also noted that the Sulphur project is a part of the «Ecology» project that is implemented in Russia nowadays. That is why it is essential not only for Norilsk but also is vital for the ecological situation in the country.
All in all, Norilsk Nickel is an industrial giant that sets environmental protection as one of its main goals. It participates in diverse ecological projects both locally and globally and does its utmost in order to protect nature.
One of the key projects Norilsk Nickel is working on now is the Sulphur project the main aim of which is to reduce sulphur dioxide emissions in Norilsk.
Nornickel has been working on this project for several years and some steps have already been completed. The intermediate results show that the project is successful and it helps Norilsk Nickel to combat sulphur dioxide emissions by using modern technologies and cooperating with top contractors as STEP.
Norilsk Nickel is going to continue working on the Sulphur project and it is expected that it will help to reduce SO2 emissions in the region by 90%.
