Metallurgy

Before metallurgical processing the ores undergo preliminary concentrating, which products are nickel, copper and pyrrotin concentrate. The concentrating is fulfilled at Norilsk and Talnakh concentrating mills. The concentrates are sent to the Nickel, Copper and Nadezhda metallurgical plants. Cleaning rejects (tailings) are stored in special depositories.

The concentrates and slime are delivered to the plants by hydrotransport system which is about 30 kilometres long. To process ore, factories are equipped by crushing, shredding, floatation, gravity, thickening and pumping equipment. At Norilsk concentrating mill the impregnation ore of Norilsk-1 deposit and cupriferous and high grade ores of Talnakh-Oktyabrsky deposits are enriched. The concentrate produced at the mill, after agglomeration is processed at the Nickel plant.

Copper concentrates of both concentrating mills are mainly processed at the Copper plant. High grade ores of Talnakh ores are concentrated at Talnakh concentrating mill. Nickel and pyrrotin concentrates are processed at Nadezhda plant. Since 1997 the technology of removal and storage of poor nickel pyrrotin at Talnakh concentrating mill has been applied. This technology has greatly improved the ecological consequences of metallurgical processing of the concentrates.