In addition to the emergency response initiatives most of which have been successfully completed at HPP-3, Nornickel and ECOTERRA have developed a land rehabilitation plan for the area affected by the spill. Today, the plan has been submitted for consideration and approval by the Interagency Commission created in accordance with the order of the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources.

The key approach proposed by the qualified experts of ECOTERRA suggests using the best available techniques with a limited impact when selecting suitable initiatives and technical solutions.

Actions planned for 2020 include deploying a system of oil traps, removing the drain systems installed during on-site works and taking other technical steps. In spring 2021, booms will be built, with sorbents put to use with the onset of the thawing season when ice melts and drifts. On top of that, a set of biological initiatives (agrotechnical operations and vegetative amelioration) is planned.

As a result of the land rehabilitation exercise, lands will be restored to the condition required by the Russian regulations.

“We have engaged a specialised company to develop the project. The proposed actions draw on the best available techniques. Their timely and thorough implementation will enable the Company to minimise the damage caused to the environment by the incident,” said Andrey Bougrov, Nornickel’s Chief Sustainability Officer.

Nornickel unveils land rehabilitation plan to mitigate the impact of fuel spill in Norilsk