Norilsk Nickel

💠 Nickel Prices Surge to Three-Month High In October, nickel futures experienced a significant rise, following reports from China indicating substantial stimulus planned by the Central Bank to reduce borrowing costs. Moreover, the supply outlook for nickel has become more intricate as the U.S. Department of Labour raised concerns about the use of forced labour in Indonesia's nickel industry. #market #nickel #basemetals

Giving people superpowers to supercharge production The large-scale production of exoskeletons for use in industry is just around the corner. Nornickel recently unveiled a new prototype, which gives our employees superpowers and allows them to lift up to 45 kilograms in compliance with health and safety regulations. The device is attached to the body and assists employees carrying out difficult physical labour. By taking most of the load, it increases a person’s physical capabilities and reduces the risk of injury. The model is currently in pre-production, with prototypes being manufactured by Lode Assist. The first test batch of ten models is set to be produced in November. Konstantin Zhukov and Vladislav Davydov gave a demonstration of the prototype to employees alongside the Polar Division’s Department of Industrial Safety and Labour Protection. Engaging with the employees at Nornickel’s enterprises means they can gain an understanding of how they will use the exoskeleton at work and offer feedback on what can be improved. This feedback will then be incorporated into the test batch to ensure that the devices bring the maximum possible benefit to employees. Watch the video to learn more! #innovation #technology #health

⚡ PGM gain momentum thanks to plug-in hybrid EVs The automotive industry's demand for platinum group metals is anticipated to rise as sales of plug-in hybrid cars surge, requiring the production of more catalytic converters, Reuters reports. (https://lnkd.in/gPMdzstk) Sales statistics for the first half of 2024 indicate that consumers are increasingly selecting plug-in hybrids as a more robust alternative to fully electric vehicles. These cars allow owners to perform daily trips to work or shopping without starting a gasoline engine, similar to EVs. However, a combustion engine is available when a power outlet is not nearby or for long-distance drives. To curb pollution and meet new emission guidelines, PHEVs are equipped with special catalytic converters, requiring 10-15% more PGMs than those in older combustion engine cars. As a result, total auto PGM demand rose 8% last year to 13.1 million ounces, according to Johnson Matthey estimates. The aggressive transition timelines to full EVs are being revised by most automakers, and the rise of hybrids could last until 2030. This means that demand for palladium, platinum, and rhodium in the automotive industry will remain strong for much longer than anticipated. #PGM #markets #business

⚖ 3D scanners assess warehouse stock 120 times faster We tested an autonomous 3D scanner at the Komsomolsky Mine, where it scanned a stockpile of ore in a warehouse storing mineral resources. Over 50,000 tonnes of ore were scanned, taking up 24,000 m3 of storage space. Instead of the 2–4 hours it previously took using traditional methods, the scanners evaluated the stock in just 53 seconds – over 120 times faster. Before, our employees described the surface area of the ore and used a formula to calculate the mass, while handheld geodetic devices measured the relevant distances and angles. Now, an array of laser 3D scanners installed around the warehouse perimeter, along with a computer and calculator, allow our experts to measure supplies almost instantly. The next stage consists of final checks set to take place over the winter. Taking into account the conditions at our mines and the local weather patterns, experts will test a number of environmental factors. Steam can form when warm ore from underground is housed in cold warehouses, and the scanner’s lasers must be able to see through this steam. While the economic impacts are yet to be finalised, the ability to assess warehouse stock in a single click is clearly a major step forward. The entire technology chain for producing non-ferrous metals requires highly precise and accurate measurements, which the new scanners are able to provide. #digital #innovation #technology

🚁Safety in full flight: Eco-drones deployed at Polar Division Nornickel experts tested a new generation of industrial-grade eco-drones at the Kola Refinery. Facing tough Arctic conditions, the drones were used to check hydraulic structures in the tailings storage facility at the processing plant. Our team of researchers was able to assess the conditions of dams, including bottom reliefs and water levels. The drones were tested on a number of parameters, including flight range, resistance to strong winds and endurance in temperatures below -20 °C. The measurements taken by the drones were also corroborated for accuracy. Once the eco-drones are fully rolled out, these tests will no longer be needed and the devices will allow for the automation of several processes currently carried out by employees. The results were a success, and the devices will now be used in our mines, where they can move quickly around the facility and respond rapidly to leaks. The eco-drones can be fitted with echo sounders, laser scanners, thermal imagers, rangefinders and aerial cameras. These technologies help to reduce the frequency of accidents and emergencies, making a significant improvement to employee safety and Norilsk’s environment. #ESG #innovation #technology

From scrapheaps to sustainability: How Norilsk is leading the Arctic green initiative Illegal tyre dumps were once a common sight in Norilsk, creating an environmental hazard and an eyesore for residents of the industrial Arctic city. According to environmental regulations, used tyres must be recycled, but the city lacked the necessary infrastructure. Valeria Tereshkova, a Norilsk native, took on the challenge with support from Nornickel corporate program. In 2020, her company Severmetallstroy, which specialises in metal scrap recycling, acquired equipment to begin recycling tyres as well. The tyres are turned into rubber flooring, which is ideally suited to the harsh conditions of the Arctic winter. Demand for the recycled rubber is high among contractors carrying out landscaping and repair work in playgrounds, fitness centres, garages, public institutions, and other facilities. The environmentally friendly material is easy to install and can be produced in any shape, colour, or size. Queries from potential clients come from all over the country, and the company is able to offer competitive prices on its ‘Arctic floors’. The company is currently producing 70,000 square metres of flooring per year and has plans to expand production. Valeria participated in Nornickel's GR accelerator, a project set up to empower local businesses with the help of public organisations. In partnership with Norilsk’s authorities and major municipal organisations, she plans to create a network of free tyre collection points so that every resident can recycle them quickly and conveniently. #ESG #recycling #sustainability #Arctic

☀ The role of hydrogen energy The energy transition is gathering pace, but many industries cannot be powered directly by existing renewables such as solar, wind and hydro. This is where #hydrogen comes in. By storing clean electricity in hydrogen fuel cells, electric power can be transported and delivered at a high density in heavy industry, transportation and more. Some of the key hydrogen technologies like fuel cells and electrolysers require catalysts, and these can be made with a number of rare earth metals including nickel and palladium. Review our presentation to learn more. Nornickel is meeting demand for the critical raw materials of the energy transition, and developing new technologies for the future of industry. #ESG #innovation #sustainability

🔋 Nornickel inaugurates new battery R&D centre in Saint Petersburg Nornickel launched the Battery Technology Centre in Saint Petersburg, a state-of-the-art R&D facility, marking an important step in the development of our EV technology strategy. The Battery Technology Centre will oversee research into the use of cathode active materials.  Lithium-ion batteries, including those used in electric vehicles, are charged and discharged as lithium ions flow between the anode, which contains graphite, and the nickel-containing cathode.  Nickel delivers a high level of energy density, increasing the range of the EV. The current focus of R&D efforts is on the NMC 811 battery, which is composed of 80% nickel, 10% cobalt and 10% manganese. The next stage will be a pilot facility for the production of 10 tonnes of cathode active materials per year, while a fully-fledged enterprise capable of producing 10,000 tonnes per year is in the pipeline. The new R&D centre is part of an effort to build domestic capabilities for a full cycle of power battery production. It is also part of Nornickel’s broader mission to build new technologies that contribute to the energy transition, including in cooperation with domestic and international partners. By developing cutting-edge technologies, we can make the best possible use of our planet’s resources more sustainably than ever before. #innovation #technology #EV

Empowering Taimyr's Indigenous Peoples: Nornickel's $20M Commitment Indigenous communities are the guardians of irreplaceable knowledge and practices, having sustainably managed their lands for millennia. Supporting these local populations isn't just ethical business—it's crucial for responsible resource development and preserving our shared cultural heritage. That’s why we launched a five-year programme  to support the communities of indigenous peoples living in the Taimyr Peninsula. We're breathing new life into traditional livelihoods by funding crucial scientific studies on reindeer and fish populations. We've secured fair fishing rights for communities and provided modern equipment for food processing. But thriving communities need more than economic support. That's why we've built 15 new homes, designed with resident input and prioritized for families in need. These houses are equipped with dual heating systems to withstand the harsh northern winters. We've installed new medical stations where they're needed most, replacing outdated infrastructure. In a nod to traditional wisdom, we've also helped to establish a health centre in Dudinka specialising in pantotherapy, a traditional medicine using antler-based products. . From preserving age-old fishing techniques to introducing state-of-the-art healthcare, our $20M investment is more than financial support—it's a commitment to a thriving future for Taimyr's indigenous peoples. #SustainableDevelopment #community #ESG #Arctic

⛅ Cleaning Norilsk’s air with the help of artificial intelligence Axioma is a state-of-the-art air quality protection system currently being piloted at the Nadezhda Smelter in Norilsk. The system measures numerous environmental indicators to a high degree of precision with the help of artificial intelligence. Axioma is part of a new national project to improve air quality for residents of cities with heavy industry. By creating ‘digital twins’ of industrial equipment, it is able to simulate technological processes, gather data and monitor emissions in real time. The system includes numerous sensors, a power source, cooling, ventilation and fire protection equipment. The solution is low cost, highly accurate and easy to implement, with an installation period of 4–6 months. This is three times faster than traditional instrumentation and control systems. After the digital results have been processed, a team of metrologists takes samples from the equipment being assessed and compares them. If there is a discrepancy, the system can be recalibrated. When the results are shown to match exactly, a digital seal is written into the programming code to confirm that this iteration of the model can be used as a reference. Nornickel is partnered with the D. I. Mendeleev Institute for Metrology, which has given a positive assessment of the project. Axioma is the result of a joint project between our software branch Norsoft and partners at Digital Corporate Technologies, and it is already being trialled by other companies. The model will continue to be verified on an annual basis by accreditation experts. #AI #health #technology