Moscow, 24 July 2025 — Nornickel announces the official launch of an automated ambient air quality monitoring system in Monchegorsk. This represents a significant step towards enhancing environmental transparency and improving the quality of life in the city.

На фото: генеральный директор Кольской ГМК Роман Шаркий, глава города Мончегорск Андрей Рудаков, вице-президент по экологии и промышленной безопасности «Норникеля» Станислав Селезнев

The new system is an advanced digital platform providing 24/7 real-time air quality monitoring. It consolidates data from 11 environmental monitoring stations located throughout the city. Every 20 minutes, the equipment measures the concentration of pollutants (sulphur dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone) as well as particulate matter (dust and soot).

In the photo: Roman Sharkiy, General Director of Kola MMC; Andrey Rudakov, Head of Monchegorsk; Stanislav Seleznev, Nornickel’s Vice President for Environmental and Industrial Safety.

The collected data is processed and published in real time on the official website of the Monchegorsk city administration as an Air Quality Index (AQI), which is calculated based on maximum permissible concentrations of pollutants. The AQI is presented in a user-friendly, colour-coded format: green indicates low pollution, yellow moderate, and red high. This system allows residents to quickly assess the air quality. Measurement history for the previous 14 days is also accessible.

The system accounts for not only industrial emissions from Kola MMC but also other sources of pollution. For example, if a bonfire is lit near a monitoring station, the index may temporarily increase. Thus, the system captures the cumulative impact on air quality from various sources, including residential and transport-related ones.

Nornickel, as the keystone enterprise of Monchegorsk, developed the system and has now handed it over to the city administration. The Company implemented this project to provide transparent environmental monitoring, with a focus on convenience and accessibility for residents. A similar system was launched in Norilsk in December 2024.

“Nornickel is systematically implementing a programme to improve the environmental situation in the cities where the Company operates. In the Murmansk region, and specifically in Monchegorsk, we have already achieved major success, with emissions reduced by 90%. As the next step, we are opening up access to real-time air quality data for everyone. This not only demonstrates our Company’s transparency but also confirms the effectiveness of our efforts to improve the environment,” commented Stanislav Seleznev, Vice President for Environmental and Industrial Safety at Nornickel, at the launch ceremony.

Andrey Rudakov, Head of Monchegorsk, commented: “On behalf of all our citizens, we highly appreciate Nornickel’s initiative to give the people of our city the ability to monitor the environmental situation and the state of the environment for themselves. Thanks to the project unveiled today, every resident will now have access to current environmental information. This demonstrates the company's high level of responsibility and transparency towards the City of Labour Valour and its residents. I thank the Company's management for such an important undertaking, which helps to strengthen trust between the business and the community.”

Nornickel launches air quality monitoring system in Monchegorsk