The IRMA standard is one of the highest sustainable business standards in the global mining and metals industry. Important focus areas of the Standard are occupational health and safety, the health and quality of life of workers and communities, respect for human rights, and engagement with indigenous peoples.
In 2022, the Company completed the self-assessment of its mining assets using the self-assessment tool. ENSOR Management Consultants, an independent consultant, which inspected Nornickel mines for preparedness for IRMA certification in the future, reviewed the results. The self-assessment covered eight key mines of the Norilsk and Kola Divisions (Taimyrsky, Oktyabrsky, Komsomolsky, Skalisty, Zapolyarny, Mayak, Severny, and Kaula-Kotselvaara). According to the self-assessment results, in case of independent audit under certification the Company may achieve the IRMA Transparency level of performance.
The exercise involved an in-depth analysis of documents related to social responsibility, environmental responsibility, business integrity, and planning for positive legacies, asset visit, as well as a series of interviews with management and employees of the head office and regional divisions.
This year the Company plans to develop and implement a roadmap of corrective actions to increase the level of compliance with the requirements of the IRMA standard.
Vladimir Zhukov, Vice President for Investor Relations and Sustainable Development: “Nornickel aspires to follow global best practices in sustainability. The Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance is one of the most widely accepted and rigorous standards in our industry. Our efforts to meet this standard are consistent with our goal of also becoming a sustainability leader and enhancing our competitive edge in the market. Nornickel customers’ demands for eco-friendly products reflect the end consumers’ shared vision for a green and clean planet. Therefore, by improving its sustainability performance, the Company is also addressing a range of other important challenges and issues relating to social responsibility, environment, industrial safety and improving the quality of life of local communities in the regions of presence.”
ABOUT THE COMPANY
MMC Norilsk Nickel is a diversified mining and metallurgical company, the world’s largest producer of palladium and high-grade nickel and a major producer of platinum and copper. The company also produces cobalt, rhodium, silver, gold, iridium, ruthenium, selenium, tellurium and other products.
The production units of Norilsk Nickel Group are located at the Norilsk Industrial District, on the Kola Peninsula and Zabaykalsky Krai in Russia as well as in Finland.
MMC Norilsk Nickel shares are listed on the Moscow and on the Saint-Petersburg Stock Exchanges, ADRs are accepted for trading on the Saint-Petersburg Stock Exchange.
Norilsk Nickel fully supports the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The company considers social responsibility and commitment to the principles of sustainable development as one of the pillars of operational efficiency and business development. Nornickel seeks to continuously improve its activities in the areas of environmental protection, human rights, health and safety, environmental impact assessment, and biodiversity preservation. The company spent RUB 221.5 billion on SDG-linked projects in 2021.
Vladimir Malakhov, Rough&Polished
