Nornickel’s Board of Directors approved an updated policy for engaging with indigenous peoples. Developed with input from independent experts and through consultations with indigenous communities and associations, the new policy integrates international standards, United Nations guidelines, and best practices. It outlines procedures for interaction, due diligence measures, and emphasizes the UN-backed principle of free, prior, and informed consent.

The policy acknowledges the vulnerability of indigenous minority peoples and affirms their right to determine their own development priorities. It commits Nornickel to ongoing consultations with these communities throughout its investment and operational activities.

An independent audit of the policy’s implementation is scheduled every three years, focusing on agreements and programs developed with and for indigenous peoples. The policy also establishes provisions for an independent mechanism to review complaints.

Andrey Grachev, Nornickel’s Vice President for Federal and Regional Programs, commented: “In this new version of the policy, the company has made a substantial, thorough, and detailed effort to outline all facets of its interactions with indigenous peoples. UN experts were involved in updating the policy, and consultations with representatives of indigenous peoples were held directly in their communities. Nornickel fosters a productive and open dialogue between indigenous peoples and businesses.”

**The new policy incorporates the accumulated experience from implementing the support program for the indigenous minorities of Taimyr**

Igor Barinov, head of Russia’s Federal Agency for Ethnic Affairs, noted that Nornickel’s policy could serve as a model for other companies and aid in developing national standards. “Government regulation lacks the flexibility and detail needed to address the diversity of approaches to industrial and traditional resource use in Russia,” he said. “This underscores the need for corporate policies that promote interaction between indigenous minority peoples and industrial companies in the regions where they operate. Nornickel’s updated policy, integrating both national specifics and international standards, stands out as one of the most comprehensive and progressive corporate initiatives in the country.”

Experts involved in updating the policy included Navin Rai of Nepal, an international expert on indigenous peoples’ rights and author of standards for the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation; Aleksei Tsykarev, a U.N. expert on indigenous peoples’ rights from 2013 to 2022; Antonina Gorbunova, a member of the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and executive director of KMNSOYUZ; and James Anaya, a distinguished professor at the University of Colorado and UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples from 2008 to 2014.

Mr. Tsykarev described the development process as thorough and diligent. “Experts visited settlements in Taimyr and the Murmansk region twice, carefully considering the suggestions of indigenous peoples,” he said. “The company’s management requested a document that aligns with international standards, and the Board of Directors largely approved our proposals. The updated policy has the potential to foster more trusting relationships with indigenous communities.”

Ms. Gorbunova expressed optimism about the policy’s impact on corporate culture and the promotion of indigenous rights. “The adoption of this policy is just the first step,” she said. “The company is expected to take further action to develop provisions that outline measures for preventing, reducing, and mitigating potential impacts on indigenous peoples, establish employee conduct guidelines, and implement a complaints review mechanism. Most importantly, Nornickel and its partners must now ensure these documents are put into practice.”

Nornickel first adopted a policy on indigenous peoples’ rights in 2018 and incorporated the principle of free, prior, and informed consent into its operations in 2021. The latest update in 2024 brings the policy in line with current Russian and international standards.

The updated policy also draws on insights from ethnic expertise studies and a five-year program supporting the indigenous minorities of Taimyr. Since 2020, Nornickel allocated over 2 billion roubles ($27 million) to this initiative, which includes building housing and social facilities, and supporting education and traditional economic activities. The program enabled the company to redefine its approach to engaging with indigenous communities, elevating the dialogue to a new level.

Nornickel updates policy to strengthen ties with indigenous communities