Nornickel, Russia’s largest mining firm, and the world’s main nickel producer introduced its consolidated manufacturing outcomes for nickel in 2024. The corporate exceeded its manufacturing steerage for this metallic which was pushed by operational effectivity enhancements and capital upgrades.
Nornickel’s Nickel Manufacturing Exceeds All Expectations
In 2024, Nornickel produced 205 kt of nickel, barely above its goal vary of 196–204 kt. This marked a 2% decline year-over-year attributable to scheduled repairs however nonetheless showcased sturdy efficiency. Notably, all nickel output originated from the firm’s Russian feedstock.
Senior Vice-President – Working Director, Alexander Popov commented on the manufacturing outcomes,
“In 2024, the output of all key metals exceeded our manufacturing steerage because of improved working effectivity
Considerably, finishing a serious reconstruction challenge on the Nadezhda Metallurgical Plant’s smelting furnace #2 performed a pivotal function. This improve boosted the furnace’s smelting capability by 25% and was accomplished in simply 60 days—30 days forward of schedule.
The corporate additionally elevated manufacturing of premium nickel products catering to China’s electroplating market, alongside developments in creating specialised nickel powders Kola Division. This carbonyl nickel division was efficiently launched after
annual schedule capital upkeep.
Nickel Outlook for 2025
For 2025, Nornickel expects nickel production to range between 204–211 kt and copper output from its Russian feed to attain 353–373 kt. This displays the firm’s deal with sustaining sturdy manufacturing ranges whereas persevering with to modernize amenities and diversify its product portfolio.
Notably, the mining large goals to spice up nickel and copper manufacturing by 20–30% and improve platinum group metals (PGMs) output by 40–50% by 2030.
Copper Output Sees Regular Progress
Nornickel’s complete copper manufacturing reached 433 kt in 2024, reflecting a 2% year-on-year improve. This development stemmed from course of optimizations to enhance copper cathode high quality and meet buyer necessities. Copper output from its Russian feedstock, excluding the Trans-Baikal Division, exceeded steerage, totaling 363 kt.
The Trans-Baikal Division additionally delivered a robust efficiency, producing 70 kt of copper in focus, surpassing its goal vary of 64–68 kt. This development was additionally attributed to elevated ore volumes and enhanced operational effectivity.
Nornickel’s Technique for Sustainable Mining
Nornickel has adopted a long-term sustainable development strategy that emphasizes environmentally pleasant manufacturing. The corporate is modernizing manufacturing belongings with clear applied sciences, lowering its carbon footprint, enhancing vitality effectivity, and constructing resilience to local weather dangers.
In 2022–2023, Nornickel collaborated with the Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences to higher perceive local weather dangers. The partnership analyzed historic local weather knowledge from the Sixties and modeled situations to foretell local weather danger elements via 2050. These situations have been tailored to the particular areas the place Nornickel operates, enabling focused options to native challenges.
Spectacular Outcomes
Nornickel has one of many lowest carbon footprints amongst world mining firms. Key achievements embrace:
- 9.7 million tons of Scope 1 and a couple of greenhouse fuel (GHG) emissions, reflecting the firm’s dedication to lowering direct and oblique emissions.
- 5.1 million tons of CO2 equal Scope 3 emissions as of 2023, which characterize emissions throughout the worth chain.
- A carbon footprint of 8.5 kg of CO2 per kg of nickelis calculated in keeping with worldwide requirements equivalent to ISO 14040, 14044, and 14067.
Lowering Emissions with Sulfur Program 2.0
The Sulfur Program 2.0 revolves round Nornickel’s efforts to attenuate greenhouse fuel (GHG) emissions and enhance air high quality within the Norilsk area. The firm’s emissions embrace contributions from electrical energy and warmth provide to the Norilsk industrial area via JSC NTEKin addition to carbon dioxide from the Sulfur Program.
Nornickel calculates its GHG emissions by the GHG Protocol methodology. The evaluation covers emissions from carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxide (N2O), and methane (CH4). Gasoline transportation models and vitality provides primarily generate these gases.
The corporate has additionally standardized its method to figuring out GHG emission sources to scale back uncertainty in upstream Scope 3 emissions calculations.
The completion of the Sulfur Program 2.0 and the usage of cleaner vitality from JSC NTEK exhibits its dedication to lowering its environmental influence. On the similar time, the corporate continues to put money into innovation and data-driven methods to boost vitality effectivity and meet long-term local weather targets.
In conclusion, Continued investments in modernization and sustainable mining will assist Nornickel meet rising global demand for nickel and copper whereas supporting decarbonization targets.
