High salaries are not all that matters – we need cities that are attractive, comfortable and exciting to live in
The success of a company, which is the major employer in a city, depends on whether its employees and their families are satisfied with their living conditions. High salaries and selective urban spending alone do not slow down the exodus. Here’s what Nornickel is doing to address this issue.
What’s needed is a more structured approach. One that is focused on the real needs of local residents and coordinated with regional government. With this approach, the company ensures that Norilsk, Monchegorsk, Zapolyarny, and Trans-Baikal operations can grow and attract the best talent.
Local development plans include economic, social and environmental projects. In implementing these projects, Nornickel’s monotown operations adhere to four principles.
Local development plans include economic, social and environmental projects. In implementing these projects, Nornickel’s monotown operations adhere to four principles.
Principle 1. Practice sustainability
It is important to promote sustainable production practices, alternative energy sources, waste management, landscaping and conservation of the natural environment.
The Sulfur Program is an environmental project, one-of-a-kind in Russia, undertaken by Nornickel to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions at Nadezhdinsky Metallurgical Plant in Norilsk. The first phase of the program resulted in a 45% reduction in emissions.
Permafrost Permafrost monitoringhelps ensure the safety of production and urban infrastructure. 24 boreholes up to 200 meters deep have been drilled from Talnakh to Dudinka. 78 residential buildings have been equipped with permafrost sensors, with plans to install such sensors in all high-rise buildings in Norilsk.
All sensor data is fed into the unified permafrost center, with the information available to all relevant agencies.
Landscaping projects in Monchegorsk, Zapolyarny and Nickel have been underway since 2014. The efforts of Kola Mining & Metallurgical Company have resulted in the planting of approximately one million trees and shrubs.
The Sulfur Program is an environmental project, one-of-a-kind in Russia, undertaken by Nornickel to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions at Nadezhdinsky Metallurgical Plant in Norilsk. The first phase of the program resulted in a 45% reduction in emissions.
Permafrost Permafrost monitoringhelps ensure the safety of production and urban infrastructure. 24 boreholes up to 200 meters deep have been drilled from Talnakh to Dudinka. 78 residential buildings have been equipped with permafrost sensors, with plans to install such sensors in all high-rise buildings in Norilsk.
All sensor data is fed into the unified permafrost center, with the information available to all relevant agencies.
Landscaping projects in Monchegorsk, Zapolyarny and Nickel have been underway since 2014. The efforts of Kola Mining & Metallurgical Company have resulted in the planting of approximately one million trees and shrubs.
Monchegorsk Municipal Park
Zapolyarny is decorated with colorful murals
Nickel Central Park
The Clean Norilsk program was launched in 2020 to clean up Norilsk of industrial and construction waste. The company plans to invest RUB 40 billion in the program by 2030.
At the same time, the volume of current waste utilization is increasing. The company uses overburden in its operations: to backfill mined-out mines and quarries, to build up the shoulders of highways, and to construct tailings dams.
Efforts to conserve biodiversity. In 2022, the Great Scientific Expedition was launched, with the field phase lasting two consecutive years. In 2024, it is finally time to process the collected data, write academic papers, and possibly make new discoveries.
Nornickel is expanding its cooperation with wildlife conservation sites that have decided to launch a pilot project to calculate the Integral Indicator of Ecosystem Condition, the first numerical indicator for assessing biodiversity in an area.
The company has already invested RUB 150 million in biodiversity conservation programs, providing a strong starting point for further ongoing monitoring and targeted actions. Nornickel’s volunteers also make a valuable contribution to biodiversity conservation by implementing environmental protection initiatives and rescuing red-listed animals.
At the same time, the volume of current waste utilization is increasing. The company uses overburden in its operations: to backfill mined-out mines and quarries, to build up the shoulders of highways, and to construct tailings dams.
Efforts to conserve biodiversity. In 2022, the Great Scientific Expedition was launched, with the field phase lasting two consecutive years. In 2024, it is finally time to process the collected data, write academic papers, and possibly make new discoveries.
Nornickel is expanding its cooperation with wildlife conservation sites that have decided to launch a pilot project to calculate the Integral Indicator of Ecosystem Condition, the first numerical indicator for assessing biodiversity in an area.
The company has already invested RUB 150 million in biodiversity conservation programs, providing a strong starting point for further ongoing monitoring and targeted actions. Nornickel’s volunteers also make a valuable contribution to biodiversity conservation by implementing environmental protection initiatives and rescuing red-listed animals.
Principle 2. Be involved in the life of the local community
A mistake made by many large companies in Russia is to offer local residents only one thing – a job in the company. People have to travel to larger cities for entertainment, services, healthcare and sports. However, for many people, especially the younger generation, personal development and entertainment are equally important.
Nornickel’s World of New Opportunities program was launched 10 years ago to support projects that are important to the community. The program aims to promote social and entrepreneurial initiatives. It has been instrumental in the creation and promotion of sports clubs, beauty clinics and trendy cafes.
Norilsk Renovation is a state-run program in which the company plays an integral role. The company has signed a four-party agreement with regional and federal authorities to renovate the city and create modern public infrastructure. The program’s total budget is RUB 120 billion, of which Nornickel’s share is RUB 81.3 billion.
Nornickel’s World of New Opportunities program was launched 10 years ago to support projects that are important to the community. The program aims to promote social and entrepreneurial initiatives. It has been instrumental in the creation and promotion of sports clubs, beauty clinics and trendy cafes.
Norilsk Renovation is a state-run program in which the company plays an integral role. The company has signed a four-party agreement with regional and federal authorities to renovate the city and create modern public infrastructure. The program’s total budget is RUB 120 billion, of which Nornickel’s share is RUB 81.3 billion.
LARISA ZELKOVA,
Nornickel Senior Vice President for HR, Social Policy, and Public Relations, said in an interview with ORT:
“In collaboration with local and regional experts, we held a competition to identify an architectural concept. With a project of this magnitude, it is important to have a solid idea of where the best amenities will be located in the city, how they will interact with each other, and how the transportation network will be arranged. Otherwise, you end up with a patchwork environment that is not designed to the highest standards.
The vision we have developed is our guiding star. It is important that everyone involved follows this concept so that the result is as harmonious as we intended.”
Projects that are necessary for a high-quality urban environment but are not included in the Norilsk Integrated Development Program are implemented by the company at its own expense.
LARISA ZELKOVA:
“The Dolgikh Lyceum, the new ice arena, the swimming pool and the Tower public space will mark a new chapter in the history of Norilsk. These projects will become an example of how to change the face of the city and make it a place where people want to live and work.”
Iceberg Ice Arena in Norilsk opened in December 2023
The historic building of the former Scientific and Technical Library will be restored. It will then become the ‘Tower’ Public and Cultural Center
Also, on July 5, 2024, Nornickel completed the installation of a backup fiber optic line stretching from Novy Urengoy to Norilsk. The line will provide reliable Internet access to local residents.
Support for education and science. The company plans to complete construction of a new campus for Polar State University by 2026. It will include a dormitory, public space and a conference hall. There will also be a hotel for non-resident students and professors.
Development of corporate healthcare. The company opens state-of-the-art healthcare facilities in the communities where it operates and establishes modern, well-equipped on-site primary care offices at its facilities.
Support for education and science. The company plans to complete construction of a new campus for Polar State University by 2026. It will include a dormitory, public space and a conference hall. There will also be a hotel for non-resident students and professors.
Development of corporate healthcare. The company opens state-of-the-art healthcare facilities in the communities where it operates and establishes modern, well-equipped on-site primary care offices at its facilities.
Principle 3. Invest in transportation infrastructure
Employees’ commutes to and from work are the main burden on public transportation in monotowns. An efficient transportation system improves quality of life by reducing commute times and increasing mobility.
Based on the results of a study of the city’s public transport system, a new transport model for Norilsk was developed in 2022. The model includes optimized routes and schedules, fleet renewal, and the installation of heated bus stops.
Nornickel installs heated bus stops at its production sites and has donated ten such bus stops to the city of Krasnoyarsk.
Based on the results of a study of the city’s public transport system, a new transport model for Norilsk was developed in 2022. The model includes optimized routes and schedules, fleet renewal, and the installation of heated bus stops.
Nornickel installs heated bus stops at its production sites and has donated ten such bus stops to the city of Krasnoyarsk.
Principle 4. Promote industrial tourism
It is important for people to appreciate the individuality of their home region and the importance of their work. Industrial tourism helps to reveal the city’s unique identity and contributes to creating a sense of place and belonging among its residents.
Nornickel is currently working on the design of a visitor center for industrial tourism. The center will be both a multifunctional platform to showcase all of the company’s operations and a starting point for guided tours, providing full equipment and training for tourists.
An industrial tourism cluster is being created in the Pechengsky District. It will include the Kola Superdeep Borehole, the shutdown smelting facility, and the Kaula-Kotselvaara Mine. In Norilsk, the Anhydrite Mine and the ‘Medvezhy Ruchey’ (Bear Creek) Open Pit are open for guided tours. At the Kayerkansky Mine, the Anhydrite Underground Training Site has been established, where tourists can try their hand at operating a drilling rig.
Nornickel is currently working on the design of a visitor center for industrial tourism. The center will be both a multifunctional platform to showcase all of the company’s operations and a starting point for guided tours, providing full equipment and training for tourists.
An industrial tourism cluster is being created in the Pechengsky District. It will include the Kola Superdeep Borehole, the shutdown smelting facility, and the Kaula-Kotselvaara Mine. In Norilsk, the Anhydrite Mine and the ‘Medvezhy Ruchey’ (Bear Creek) Open Pit are open for guided tours. At the Kayerkansky Mine, the Anhydrite Underground Training Site has been established, where tourists can try their hand at operating a drilling rig.
Performance assessment
Thanks to its comprehensive approach, Norilsk has already made it onto the Map of Cities of Accelerated Transformation. The city’s urban environment quality index reached 225 points in 2023, while the average score was 200 points.
The most successful areas of development were Housing and Adjacent Areas, Street and Road Network, Landscaping, Public and Business Infrastructure, Social and Recreational Infrastructure and Adjacent Areas, and Community Space.
The most successful areas of development were Housing and Adjacent Areas, Street and Road Network, Landscaping, Public and Business Infrastructure, Social and Recreational Infrastructure and Adjacent Areas, and Community Space.
LARISA ZELKOVA:
“The North is a tough place to live. No matter how good your home is, or how good the urban environment is, the climate has its own way of shaping things. That’s why people here tend to help each other more, and businesses are more responsive to the needs and demands of people, towns and local governments.
July, 2024