TEST
Closing the loop: turning waste into resources in a circular economy
What if a company's major asset lies not deep in the mine or is processed in a smelter, but rests in its own dump? Giant tires, plastic, spent catalysts, millions of tons of sludge and tailings — everything that has long been considered unavoidable production waste. However, today this waste can yield real value. Take the test to find out how Kola MMC has learned to make money off waste.
Under the Circular Economy federal project, by 2030, at least 32% of all waste shall be reused. The Kola MMC facilities annually generate around 7 million tons of non-mineral waste. In 2024, more than 3.2 million tons of non-mineral waste were reused or recycled.
Under the Circular Economy federal project, by 2030, at least 32% of all waste shall be reused. The Kola MMC facilities annually generate around 7 million tons of non-mineral waste. In 2024, more than 3.2 million tons of non-mineral waste were reused or recycled.
Under the Circular Economy federal project, by 2030, at least 32% of all waste shall be reused. The Kola MMC facilities annually generate around 7 million tons of non-mineral waste. In 2024, more than 3.2 million tons of non-mineral waste were reused or recycled.
How can metallurgical sludge and tailings be utilized?
According to the findings of research conducted in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, asphalt concrete containing tailings and sludge from mine dumps is compliant with GOST requirements, and even outperforms the standard composition under certain parameters. This material has better heat and frost resistance properties and higher fracture toughness at near-zero temperatures. And a ton of asphalt concrete with metallurgical waste content costs 2-3 times less than the mixtures currently used in road construction.
According to the findings of research conducted in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, asphalt concrete containing tailings and sludge from mine dumps is compliant with GOST requirements, and even outperforms the standard composition under certain parameters. This material has better heat and frost resistance properties and higher fracture toughness at near-zero temperatures. And a ton of asphalt concrete with metallurgical waste content costs 2-3 times less than the mixtures currently used in road construction.
According to the findings of research conducted in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, asphalt concrete containing tailings and sludge from mine dumps is compliant with GOST requirements, and even outperforms the standard composition under certain parameters. This material has better heat and frost resistance properties and higher fracture toughness at near-zero temperatures. And a ton of asphalt concrete with metallurgical waste content costs 2-3 times less than the mixtures currently used in road construction.
How did gas treatment efficiency at Kola MMC change?
A separate building was erected to accommodate the de-dusting section with the new plant, housing four new modern four-pole electrostatic precipitators and five exhaust fans. New gas ducts from the fluidized bed furnaces to the electrostatic precipitators and a collector for treated gas in the sulfuric acid section of the Kola MMC purification shop were also installed.
A separate building was erected to accommodate the de-dusting section with the new plant, housing four new modern four-pole electrostatic precipitators and five exhaust fans. New gas ducts from the fluidized bed furnaces to the electrostatic precipitators and a collector for treated gas in the sulfuric acid section of the Kola MMC purification shop were also installed.
A separate building was erected to accommodate the de-dusting section with the new plant, housing four new modern four-pole electrostatic precipitators and five exhaust fans. New gas ducts from the fluidized bed furnaces to the electrostatic precipitators and a collector for treated gas in the sulfuric acid section of the Kola MMC purification shop were also installed.
How does Kola MMC recycle its used big bags?
Kola MMC discharges the used big bags in two compactors installed at industrial sites. Compaction is required to reduce the load volume and optimize cargo space during transportation. The recycled feedstock is then sent to processing enterprises that make new plastic items of it.
Kola MMC discharges the used big bags in two compactors installed at industrial sites. Compaction is required to reduce the load volume and optimize cargo space during transportation. The recycled feedstock is then sent to processing enterprises that make new plastic items of it.
Kola MMC discharges the used big bags in two compactors installed at industrial sites. Compaction is required to reduce the load volume and optimize cargo space during transportation. The recycled feedstock is then sent to processing enterprises that make new plastic items of it.
In 2024, Kola MMC started a shop in Monchegorsk to sell its illiquid materials that features perfectly useful items in fairly good working order. Plastic and iron barrels, electrical equipment, and various spare parts — everything that proved unneeded by the company but could come quite handy for local households. Especially, when the price is below market. The shop has an online store offering over 5 thousand items.
In 2024, Kola MMC started a shop in Monchegorsk to sell its illiquid materials that features perfectly useful items in fairly good working order. Plastic and iron barrels, electrical equipment, and various spare parts — everything that proved unneeded by the company but could come quite handy for local households. Especially, when the price is below market. The shop has an online store offering over 5 thousand items.
Economy must be economical
You may be missing the days when manufacturers were proud to mark their products with the “No recycled content” label. However, today's values turned upside down. Metallurgy is also increasingly adopting recycling commitments, although its full processing cycle is much harder to launch. But small things could be the start of something big. Read about Nornickel's support for entrepreneurs who make useful things from the stuff they find at garbage dumps.
Nothing in nature is wasted
A circular economy is natural order of things for you, and not a fantasy. Perhaps, even at home, you never simply throw anything away and diligently sort your waste. And for the mining sector, embracing the circular economy goes beyond social responsibility and presents significant money-making opportunities. In particular, Nornickel invests in technology on an ongoing basis to reduce the amount of dumped waste and produce even more useful feedstock material.
You follow the trends
You must be thrilled by numbers measuring waste from the mining and metallurgy sector! But millions of tons of mine rock and industrial waste are not dead weight, but a viable material literally resting on the surface. Read an interview with Aleksander Lisoy, Head of Environmental Strategy Department at Kola MMC, for insightful and surprising facts about industrial waste management.