TEST
Clean Norilsk program changing the Arctic
For centuries, people have sought to conquer nature. Nornickel is reconsidering this approach with the launch of the Clean Norilsk program. The city’s former industrial districts will soon no longer resemble a post-apocalyptic setting. Take the quiz to understand how the program works and its scale.
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What does Clean Norilsk program aim to do?
For decades, people have been settling in the Arctic leaving behind numerous abandoned buildings, dumps of scrap metal and construction waste. By the start of the 21st century, industrial waste had become a major environmental issue for the Arctic.
The Clean Norilsk program will help address the problem within one city, and improve the attractiveness of the region for those who want to work and live here.
The project goal is to:
The Clean Norilsk program will help address the problem within one city, and improve the attractiveness of the region for those who want to work and live here.
The project goal is to:
- clean up industrial sites in Norilsk;
- clean up territories of gas condensate deposits: Messoyakha, Pelyatka, Severo-Soleninskoye, Yuzhno-Soleninskoye, Tukhard;
- finish demolition of the Nickel Plant closed in 2016.
For decades, people have been settling in the Arctic leaving behind numerous abandoned buildings, dumps of scrap metal and construction waste. By the start of the 21st century, industrial waste had become a major environmental issue for the Arctic.
The Clean Norilsk program will help address the problem within one city, and improve the attractiveness of the region for those who want to work and live here.
The project goal is to:
The Clean Norilsk program will help address the problem within one city, and improve the attractiveness of the region for those who want to work and live here.
The project goal is to:
- clean up industrial sites in Norilsk;
- clean up territories of gas condensate deposits: Messoyakha, Pelyatka, Severo-Soleninskoye, Yuzhno-Soleninskoye, Tukhard;
- finish demolition of the Nickel Plant closed in 2016.
For decades, people have been settling in the Arctic leaving behind numerous abandoned buildings, dumps of scrap metal and construction waste. By the start of the 21st century, industrial waste had become a major environmental issue for the Arctic.
The Clean Norilsk program will help address the problem within one city, and improve the attractiveness of the region for those who want to work and live here.
The project goal is to:
The Clean Norilsk program will help address the problem within one city, and improve the attractiveness of the region for those who want to work and live here.
The project goal is to:
- clean up industrial sites in Norilsk;
- clean up territories of gas condensate deposits: Messoyakha, Pelyatka, Severo-Soleninskoye, Yuzhno-Soleninskoye, Tukhard;
- finish demolition of the Nickel Plant closed in 2016.
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What is the lifespan of Clean Norilsk program?
The Clean Norilsk program was launched in 2021 and will last for 10 years. During this period, Nornickel, together with contractors, plans to demolish about 500 abandoned buildings.
At the end of 2023, 347 structures were dismantled, 1 million tons of waste and 80 thousand tons of scrap metal were removed, and 41 million square meters of land were cleaned up.
The total budget of the Clean Norilsk program is RUB 40 bn, with RUB 11.5 bn already allocated in 2021-2023.
At the end of 2023, 347 structures were dismantled, 1 million tons of waste and 80 thousand tons of scrap metal were removed, and 41 million square meters of land were cleaned up.
The total budget of the Clean Norilsk program is RUB 40 bn, with RUB 11.5 bn already allocated in 2021-2023.
The Clean Norilsk program was launched in 2021 and will last for 10 years. During this period, Nornickel, together with contractors, plans to demolish about 500 abandoned buildings.
At the end of 2023, 347 structures were dismantled, 1 million tons of waste and 80 thousand tons of scrap metal were removed, and 41 million square meters of land were cleaned up.
The total budget of the Clean Norilsk program is RUB 40 bn, with RUB 11.5 bn already allocated in 2021-2023.
At the end of 2023, 347 structures were dismantled, 1 million tons of waste and 80 thousand tons of scrap metal were removed, and 41 million square meters of land were cleaned up.
The total budget of the Clean Norilsk program is RUB 40 bn, with RUB 11.5 bn already allocated in 2021-2023.
The Clean Norilsk program was launched in 2021 and will last for 10 years. During this period, Nornickel, together with contractors, plans to demolish about 500 abandoned buildings.
At the end of 2023, 347 structures were dismantled, 1 million tons of waste and 80 thousand tons of scrap metal were removed, and 41 million square meters of land were cleaned up.
The total budget of the Clean Norilsk program is RUB 40 bn, with RUB 11.5 bn already allocated in 2021-2023.
At the end of 2023, 347 structures were dismantled, 1 million tons of waste and 80 thousand tons of scrap metal were removed, and 41 million square meters of land were cleaned up.
The total budget of the Clean Norilsk program is RUB 40 bn, with RUB 11.5 bn already allocated in 2021-2023.
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Which facilities were the most difficult to dismantle at Nickel Plant?
The Nickel Plant comprises ca. 50 hectares, with facilities already dismantled on 40 hectares. The hardest facility was approached by Nornickel only in 2023.
Those include five 150-180-meter stacks, each up to 13 thousand tons. A structure like this cannot be demolished in an ordinary way, so it was decided to use a directional blasting technology.
Preparation for each activity takes up to six months. This time is required to make calculations, prepare documentation, and obtain blasting permits.
For directional blasting, explosives are charged to make the stack fall down in the right direction. Due to terrain specifics at the Nickel Plant, the hazard zone was expanded from 230 m to 350 m. At the time of the explosion, this distance was set as minimum for people to stay at.
The first two stacks collapsed to the ground in 2023 followed by another one in 2024. The last two stacks are scheduled for demolition by the end of 2025.
Those include five 150-180-meter stacks, each up to 13 thousand tons. A structure like this cannot be demolished in an ordinary way, so it was decided to use a directional blasting technology.
Preparation for each activity takes up to six months. This time is required to make calculations, prepare documentation, and obtain blasting permits.
For directional blasting, explosives are charged to make the stack fall down in the right direction. Due to terrain specifics at the Nickel Plant, the hazard zone was expanded from 230 m to 350 m. At the time of the explosion, this distance was set as minimum for people to stay at.
The first two stacks collapsed to the ground in 2023 followed by another one in 2024. The last two stacks are scheduled for demolition by the end of 2025.
The Nickel Plant comprises ca. 50 hectares, with facilities already dismantled on 40 hectares. The hardest facility was approached by Nornickel only in 2023.
Those include five 150-180-meter stacks, each up to 13 thousand tons. A structure like this cannot be demolished in an ordinary way, so it was decided to use a directional blasting technology.
Preparation for each activity takes up to six months. This time is required to make calculations, prepare documentation, and obtain blasting permits.
For directional blasting, explosives are charged to make the stack fall down in the right direction. Due to terrain specifics at the Nickel Plant, the hazard zone was expanded from 230 m to 350 m. At the time of the explosion, this distance was set as minimum for people to stay at.
The first two stacks collapsed to the ground in 2023 followed by another one in 2024. The last two stacks are scheduled for demolition by the end of 2025.
Those include five 150-180-meter stacks, each up to 13 thousand tons. A structure like this cannot be demolished in an ordinary way, so it was decided to use a directional blasting technology.
Preparation for each activity takes up to six months. This time is required to make calculations, prepare documentation, and obtain blasting permits.
For directional blasting, explosives are charged to make the stack fall down in the right direction. Due to terrain specifics at the Nickel Plant, the hazard zone was expanded from 230 m to 350 m. At the time of the explosion, this distance was set as minimum for people to stay at.
The first two stacks collapsed to the ground in 2023 followed by another one in 2024. The last two stacks are scheduled for demolition by the end of 2025.
The Nickel Plant comprises ca. 50 hectares, with facilities already dismantled on 40 hectares. The hardest facility was approached by Nornickel only in 2023.
Those include five 150-180-meter stacks, each up to 13 thousand tons. A structure like this cannot be demolished in an ordinary way, so it was decided to use a directional blasting technology.
Preparation for each activity takes up to six months. This time is required to make calculations, prepare documentation, and obtain blasting permits.
For directional blasting, explosives are charged to make the stack fall down in the right direction. Due to terrain specifics at the Nickel Plant, the hazard zone was expanded from 230 m to 350 m. At the time of the explosion, this distance was set as minimum for people to stay at.
The first two stacks collapsed to the ground in 2023 followed by another one in 2024. The last two stacks are scheduled for demolition by the end of 2025.
Those include five 150-180-meter stacks, each up to 13 thousand tons. A structure like this cannot be demolished in an ordinary way, so it was decided to use a directional blasting technology.
Preparation for each activity takes up to six months. This time is required to make calculations, prepare documentation, and obtain blasting permits.
For directional blasting, explosives are charged to make the stack fall down in the right direction. Due to terrain specifics at the Nickel Plant, the hazard zone was expanded from 230 m to 350 m. At the time of the explosion, this distance was set as minimum for people to stay at.
The first two stacks collapsed to the ground in 2023 followed by another one in 2024. The last two stacks are scheduled for demolition by the end of 2025.
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What is a common name for hydraulic shear used to ‘cut’ concrete and metal structures?
A hydraulic shear is known as a crusher, or something that crushes.
Giant hydraulic shears attached to the end of the excavator boom are used in building demolition. As if with paper, shears cut through concrete floors and reinforcement.
The excavator boom is 28 m long, so the use of such equipment eliminates the hazards associated with working at height.
The company has procured a total of 124 equipment units for the Clean Norilsk program, spending more than RUB 3.4 bn on excavators, tundra-fit tractors, off-road trucks, and dozers (without limitation).
All the equipment was custom made. These are all-purpose machines with various attachments: hydraulic shears and hammers, crushing buckets.
Giant hydraulic shears attached to the end of the excavator boom are used in building demolition. As if with paper, shears cut through concrete floors and reinforcement.
The excavator boom is 28 m long, so the use of such equipment eliminates the hazards associated with working at height.
The company has procured a total of 124 equipment units for the Clean Norilsk program, spending more than RUB 3.4 bn on excavators, tundra-fit tractors, off-road trucks, and dozers (without limitation).
All the equipment was custom made. These are all-purpose machines with various attachments: hydraulic shears and hammers, crushing buckets.
A hydraulic shear is known as a crusher, or something that crushes.
Giant hydraulic shears attached to the end of the excavator boom are used in building demolition. As if with paper, shears cut through concrete floors and reinforcement.
The excavator boom is 28 m long, so the use of such equipment eliminates the hazards associated with working at height.
The company has procured a total of 124 equipment units for the Clean Norilsk program, spending more than RUB 3.4 bn on excavators, tundra-fit tractors, off-road trucks, and dozers (without limitation).
All the equipment was custom made. These are all-purpose machines with various attachments: hydraulic shears and hammers, crushing buckets.
Giant hydraulic shears attached to the end of the excavator boom are used in building demolition. As if with paper, shears cut through concrete floors and reinforcement.
The excavator boom is 28 m long, so the use of such equipment eliminates the hazards associated with working at height.
The company has procured a total of 124 equipment units for the Clean Norilsk program, spending more than RUB 3.4 bn on excavators, tundra-fit tractors, off-road trucks, and dozers (without limitation).
All the equipment was custom made. These are all-purpose machines with various attachments: hydraulic shears and hammers, crushing buckets.
A hydraulic shear is known as a crusher, or something that crushes.
Giant hydraulic shears attached to the end of the excavator boom are used in building demolition. As if with paper, shears cut through concrete floors and reinforcement.
The excavator boom is 28 m long, so the use of such equipment eliminates the hazards associated with working at height.
The company has procured a total of 124 equipment units for the Clean Norilsk program, spending more than RUB 3.4 bn on excavators, tundra-fit tractors, off-road trucks, and dozers (without limitation).
All the equipment was custom made. These are all-purpose machines with various attachments: hydraulic shears and hammers, crushing buckets.
Giant hydraulic shears attached to the end of the excavator boom are used in building demolition. As if with paper, shears cut through concrete floors and reinforcement.
The excavator boom is 28 m long, so the use of such equipment eliminates the hazards associated with working at height.
The company has procured a total of 124 equipment units for the Clean Norilsk program, spending more than RUB 3.4 bn on excavators, tundra-fit tractors, off-road trucks, and dozers (without limitation).
All the equipment was custom made. These are all-purpose machines with various attachments: hydraulic shears and hammers, crushing buckets.
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How is post-demolition scrap metal used?
Nornickel pursues a recycling-oriented strategy in waste disposal. All materials that can be re-used get a ‘second life’. The need for recycled materials throughout the country is high, so scrap steel is shipped to the mainland through the Dudinka seaport.
Fittings, pipes, building frames and even skeletons of abandoned ships get compressed for scrap at the Unified Warehouse Facilities enterprise which accepts ferrous and non-ferrous metal products from all sites operated by the program. 110 employees sort scrap metal 24/7, compress and prepare it for transportation.
Oversize products are cut up using 18-meter shearing press. This automated machine grinds and compresses metal into transportable cubes at up to 20 tonnes per hour.
Fittings, pipes, building frames and even skeletons of abandoned ships get compressed for scrap at the Unified Warehouse Facilities enterprise which accepts ferrous and non-ferrous metal products from all sites operated by the program. 110 employees sort scrap metal 24/7, compress and prepare it for transportation.
Oversize products are cut up using 18-meter shearing press. This automated machine grinds and compresses metal into transportable cubes at up to 20 tonnes per hour.
Nornickel pursues a recycling-oriented strategy in waste disposal. All materials that can be re-used get a ‘second life’. The need for recycled materials throughout the country is high, so scrap steel is shipped to the mainland through the Dudinka seaport.
Fittings, pipes, building frames and even skeletons of abandoned ships get compressed for scrap at the Unified Warehouse Facilities enterprise which accepts ferrous and non-ferrous metal products from all sites operated by the program. 110 employees sort scrap metal 24/7, compress and prepare it for transportation.
Oversize products are cut up using 18-meter shearing press. This automated machine grinds and compresses metal into transportable cubes at up to 20 tonnes per hour.
Fittings, pipes, building frames and even skeletons of abandoned ships get compressed for scrap at the Unified Warehouse Facilities enterprise which accepts ferrous and non-ferrous metal products from all sites operated by the program. 110 employees sort scrap metal 24/7, compress and prepare it for transportation.
Oversize products are cut up using 18-meter shearing press. This automated machine grinds and compresses metal into transportable cubes at up to 20 tonnes per hour.
Nornickel pursues a recycling-oriented strategy in waste disposal. All materials that can be re-used get a ‘second life’. The need for recycled materials throughout the country is high, so scrap steel is shipped to the mainland through the Dudinka seaport.
Fittings, pipes, building frames and even skeletons of abandoned ships get compressed for scrap at the Unified Warehouse Facilities enterprise which accepts ferrous and non-ferrous metal products from all sites operated by the program. 110 employees sort scrap metal 24/7, compress and prepare it for transportation.
Oversize products are cut up using 18-meter shearing press. This automated machine grinds and compresses metal into transportable cubes at up to 20 tonnes per hour.
Fittings, pipes, building frames and even skeletons of abandoned ships get compressed for scrap at the Unified Warehouse Facilities enterprise which accepts ferrous and non-ferrous metal products from all sites operated by the program. 110 employees sort scrap metal 24/7, compress and prepare it for transportation.
Oversize products are cut up using 18-meter shearing press. This automated machine grinds and compresses metal into transportable cubes at up to 20 tonnes per hour.
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When was industrial land first reclaimed?
The first known case of soil reclamation took place in the XVIII century. Back then, by order of King Frederick of Saxony, the dumps of old mines were planted with alder.
In the North, nobody wanted to engage in systemic reclamation until the 2000s, as it is difficult, time-consuming and expensive. Reformation of the fertile topsoil takes decades. The Far North needs plants able to adapt to the extreme conditions. The weather also makes its adjustments.
Experts in the Clean Norilsk program have pioneered the reclamation process with reliance on scientific approaches. Work is organized in 3 stages:
Therefore, the work requires thorough studies and planning. If necessary, the reclamation project is redesigned and timing is changed.
Land restoration under the Clean Norilsk program covers all cleared sites. By the end of 2023, 78.8 hectares of land have been reclaimed.
In the North, nobody wanted to engage in systemic reclamation until the 2000s, as it is difficult, time-consuming and expensive. Reformation of the fertile topsoil takes decades. The Far North needs plants able to adapt to the extreme conditions. The weather also makes its adjustments.
Experts in the Clean Norilsk program have pioneered the reclamation process with reliance on scientific approaches. Work is organized in 3 stages:
- preparation: design and detailed design development;
- technical arrangements: soil preparation (battering, topsoil replacement, construction of hydraulic structures);
- biological arrangements: fertilization, sowing and planting.
Therefore, the work requires thorough studies and planning. If necessary, the reclamation project is redesigned and timing is changed.
Land restoration under the Clean Norilsk program covers all cleared sites. By the end of 2023, 78.8 hectares of land have been reclaimed.
The first known case of soil reclamation took place in the XVIII century. Back then, by order of King Frederick of Saxony, the dumps of old mines were planted with alder.
In the North, nobody wanted to engage in systemic reclamation until the 2000s, as it is difficult, time-consuming and expensive. Reformation of the fertile topsoil takes decades. The Far North needs plants able to adapt to the extreme conditions. The weather also makes its adjustments.
Experts in the Clean Norilsk program have pioneered the reclamation process with reliance on scientific approaches. Work is organized in 3 stages:
Therefore, the work requires thorough studies and planning. If necessary, the reclamation project is redesigned and timing is changed.
Land restoration under the Clean Norilsk program covers all cleared sites. By the end of 2023, 78.8 hectares of land have been reclaimed.
In the North, nobody wanted to engage in systemic reclamation until the 2000s, as it is difficult, time-consuming and expensive. Reformation of the fertile topsoil takes decades. The Far North needs plants able to adapt to the extreme conditions. The weather also makes its adjustments.
Experts in the Clean Norilsk program have pioneered the reclamation process with reliance on scientific approaches. Work is organized in 3 stages:
- preparation: design and detailed design development;
- technical arrangements: soil preparation (battering, topsoil replacement, construction of hydraulic structures);
- biological arrangements: fertilization, sowing and planting.
Therefore, the work requires thorough studies and planning. If necessary, the reclamation project is redesigned and timing is changed.
Land restoration under the Clean Norilsk program covers all cleared sites. By the end of 2023, 78.8 hectares of land have been reclaimed.
The first known case of soil reclamation took place in the XVIII century. Back then, by order of King Frederick of Saxony, the dumps of old mines were planted with alder.
In the North, nobody wanted to engage in systemic reclamation until the 2000s, as it is difficult, time-consuming and expensive. Reformation of the fertile topsoil takes decades. The Far North needs plants able to adapt to the extreme conditions. The weather also makes its adjustments.
Experts in the Clean Norilsk program have pioneered the reclamation process with reliance on scientific approaches. Work is organized in 3 stages:
Therefore, the work requires thorough studies and planning. If necessary, the reclamation project is redesigned and timing is changed.
Land restoration under the Clean Norilsk program covers all cleared sites. By the end of 2023, 78.8 hectares of land have been reclaimed.
In the North, nobody wanted to engage in systemic reclamation until the 2000s, as it is difficult, time-consuming and expensive. Reformation of the fertile topsoil takes decades. The Far North needs plants able to adapt to the extreme conditions. The weather also makes its adjustments.
Experts in the Clean Norilsk program have pioneered the reclamation process with reliance on scientific approaches. Work is organized in 3 stages:
- preparation: design and detailed design development;
- technical arrangements: soil preparation (battering, topsoil replacement, construction of hydraulic structures);
- biological arrangements: fertilization, sowing and planting.
Therefore, the work requires thorough studies and planning. If necessary, the reclamation project is redesigned and timing is changed.
Land restoration under the Clean Norilsk program covers all cleared sites. By the end of 2023, 78.8 hectares of land have been reclaimed.
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What plants does Nornickel use in land reclamation on the advice of the Russian Academy of Sciences Siberian Branch?
Grass is usually sown on reclaimed land. Selected by scientists, the seed mixture includes timothy, fescue and clover. While timothy and fescue are natural to the Arctic, clover is a new species for the region. Scientists are confident that these plants survive well in the tundra and contribute to natural soil restoration. Such plants are called green manure. They quickly gain plant mass with maximized mineral content.
For sowing, extra-wide-track dozers are used to minimize soil damage. Sometimes wide ground protection mats are strapped onto the track. Dozers are equipped with hydroseeding nozzles spraying seeds mixed with water instead of throwing them around. This process is used to quickly cover vast areas of uneven terrain.
For sowing, extra-wide-track dozers are used to minimize soil damage. Sometimes wide ground protection mats are strapped onto the track. Dozers are equipped with hydroseeding nozzles spraying seeds mixed with water instead of throwing them around. This process is used to quickly cover vast areas of uneven terrain.
Grass is usually sown on reclaimed land. Selected by scientists, the seed mixture includes timothy, fescue and clover. While timothy and fescue are natural to the Arctic, clover is a new species for the region. Scientists are confident that these plants survive well in the tundra and contribute to natural soil restoration. Such plants are called green manure. They quickly gain plant mass with maximized mineral content.
For sowing, extra-wide-track dozers are used to minimize soil damage. Sometimes wide ground protection mats are strapped onto the track. Dozers are equipped with hydroseeding nozzles spraying seeds mixed with water instead of throwing them around. This process is used to quickly cover vast areas of uneven terrain.
For sowing, extra-wide-track dozers are used to minimize soil damage. Sometimes wide ground protection mats are strapped onto the track. Dozers are equipped with hydroseeding nozzles spraying seeds mixed with water instead of throwing them around. This process is used to quickly cover vast areas of uneven terrain.
Grass is usually sown on reclaimed land. Selected by scientists, the seed mixture includes timothy, fescue and clover. While timothy and fescue are natural to the Arctic, clover is a new species for the region. Scientists are confident that these plants survive well in the tundra and contribute to natural soil restoration. Such plants are called green manure. They quickly gain plant mass with maximized mineral content.
For sowing, extra-wide-track dozers are used to minimize soil damage. Sometimes wide ground protection mats are strapped onto the track. Dozers are equipped with hydroseeding nozzles spraying seeds mixed with water instead of throwing them around. This process is used to quickly cover vast areas of uneven terrain.
For sowing, extra-wide-track dozers are used to minimize soil damage. Sometimes wide ground protection mats are strapped onto the track. Dozers are equipped with hydroseeding nozzles spraying seeds mixed with water instead of throwing them around. This process is used to quickly cover vast areas of uneven terrain.
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You care about the environment but you know little about the Clean Norilsk program
Take your time to find out more about it. After all, the Arctic is a unique region that features extraordinary challenges. Read an article from the St. Petersburg Economic Forum.
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You are aware of industrial waste and its associated harm to the environment
You know the basic details of the Clean Norilsk program but would love to learn more. You may be curious to also learn about our Sulfur Program. It is another undertaking by Nornickel to improve living conditions for Norilsk city residents.
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You are well aware of the goals and objectives of the Clean Norilsk program
We hope the quiz helped you learn something new and interesting. Keep the ball rolling and find out more about Nornickel’s efforts to improve environmental conditions in its host regions. For example, read an article about emissions control at Nadezhda smelter.
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Photos by Nornickel, Shutterstock/FOTODOM
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