MMC Norilsk Nickel said as support of the Ministry of Natural resources of the Russian Federation, it joined and partook in the all-Russia initiative Zero Negative Environmental Impact, which is being conducted in the year of environmental protection.

The company with operation across the world, including Botswana, said despite the fact that major production stages in mining and metallurgy run in continuous process, the company found an opportunity to lower atmosphere emissions during the initiative.

“A number of workshops and plants face suspension from 9AM until 11AM across Polar Division, Norilsk, Kola MMC and Murmansk production sites. Various environmental events are conducted in regions of operations including cleaning, landscaping, etc,” the company said,

Norilsk noted that environmentally safe production and environmental protection are among the main priorities of the companies of the Norilsk Nickel Group. Total costs and investments in environmental protection in 2012 jointly for the group amounted to 19 billion rubles.

“MMC Norilsk Nickel wishes to congratulate all who can relate to protection of the environment on today’s occasion of the Environmentalist Day and wishes them every success.”