Nornickel to Launch Second Line of Sulfur Program Ahead of Schedule
Nornickel’s Nadezhda Smelter is set to commission the second line of its Sulfur Program earlier than anticipated, with the launch now expected on October 1, said Nikolay Utkin, Nornickel's Senior Vice President and Head of Norilsk Division. This program, one of the world’s most complex and large-scale environmental projects, began in April 2022 and involves a substantial investment of RUB 180 billion ($2 billion).
The Sulfur Program aims to capture 99% of sulfur dioxide emissions from the smelting units within Nornickel's Norilsk Division. The process involves converting sulfur dioxide into sulfuric acid, which is then neutralized using limestone to produce gypsum. This approach is tailored to the unique challenges of Nornickel’s operations, including its specific mineral resource base and the logistical difficulties posed by the lack of railroads and a limited navigation period.
The first line of the Sulfur Program was launched in October 2023 at the Nadezhda Smelter, which plays a crucial role in Nornickel's production chain. The plant processes concentrates from the Talnakh and Norilsk Concentrators to produce matte, a semi-product used in the smelting of copper and nickel at other Nornickel facilities in the Murmansk Region.
In the first six months of operation, the initial line of the Sulfur Program successfully recovered 40,000 tons of sulfur dioxide, converting it into 80,000 tons of gypsum with an efficiency rate of 99.6%, as verified by Rosprirodnadzor, Russia’s environmental watchdogy.
The early commissioning of the second line has been made possible by the implementation of advanced technological solutions and the replacement of some originally planned equipment, said mister Utkin. The new line is currently undergoing comprehensive testing to ensure it meets the program’s stringent standards.
Nornickel remains a key global player in the production of nickel, copper, platinum, and palladium. The company has outlined its production goals for 2024, aiming to produce 184,000-194,000 tons of nickel, 334,000-354,000 tons of copper, 2.296-2.451 million troy ounces of palladium, and 567,000-605,000 troy ounces of platinum.
