The Governor of the Murmansk Region, Andrey Chibis, took part in the ceremonial launch of a new high-tech gas purification system at the Kola site of PJSC Norilsk Nickel in Monchegorsk (the main production asset is JSC Kola MMC). This project is an important step in the implementation of the company's environmental strategy and a contribution to improving air quality in the region.
"The ecological well–being of residents is an absolute priority for our region. The implementation of high-tech projects such as the new gas purification system in Monchegorsk clearly demonstrates how effective partnership between government and responsible business leads to concrete results. This is an important contribution to the health of people and the future of the Kola Arctic," commented Andrey Chibis, Governor of the Murmansk Region.
The key objective of the system is to reduce sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from the fluidized bed furnaces of the refining workshop. The project is expected to reduce SO2 emissions by almost a thousand tons per year. This is a significant achievement against the background of the work already done: if in the 1990s the SO2 emissions of the Kola MMC reached almost 500 thousand tons, by 2015 they were reduced to 155.1 thousand tons, and by the end of 2024, thanks to the implementation of the Sulfur Program at the Kola industrial sites, amounted to 12.4 thousand tons.
The project was implemented based on domestic technological solutions: the share of Russian equipment in the new system reaches about 90%. Its creation began at the end of 2022: during this time, a building was erected on the territory, four modern four-field Russian-made electrostatic precipitators were installed in it.
"The commissioning of this gas purification system is an important project for the environmental strategy of the Kola site. We have been working on its implementation for several years, and significant investments have been made. This is not just an upgrade, it is a qualitative leap in waste gas treatment, which will allow us to achieve new minimum values for sulfur dioxide emissions, while continuing our policy of reducing environmental impact," commented Stanislav Seleznev, Norilsk Nickel's Vice President for Industrial Safety, Labor Protection and Ecology.
According to the company's representatives, in addition to the main environmental effect, the new system will also bring economic results. It will allow additional annual return to production of non-ferrous metals. In addition, the quality of the sulfuric acid produced will be significantly improved.
Norilsk Nickel's work to improve environmental safety at the Kola site is comprehensive. In July of this year, the company has already introduced a modern online air quality monitoring system in Monchegorsk, the data of which is available to residents.
"This large-scale project has been implemented based on Russian technological solutions. I would like to note that all our major investment projects aimed at improving environmental efficiency, import substitution and regional development are being implemented with the support of the Government of the Murmansk Region and in constructive cooperation with federal ministries and departments," commented Nikolai Utkin, First Vice President of Norilsk Nickel.
Investments in the project amounted to 6.9 billion rubles. It is one of 180 events of Norilsk Nickel's comprehensive environmental program on the Kola Peninsula, the total amount of which will exceed 71.7 billion rubles by 2031.
/ Ministry of Information Policy of the Murmansk Region /